We’re thrilled to announce that three Recology drivers have been awarded Driver of the Year by the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA)! In addition, another nine Recology drivers have been recognized with Honorable Mentions, marking Recology’s best performance ever in this prestigious national competition.
The NWRA Driver of the Year awards recognize waste collection professionals for their commitment to safety, years of service, route difficulty, and community engagement. All twelve Recology honorees maintained perfect safety records, with zero accidents and zero injuries—an outstanding reflection of their professionalism and dedication.
2025 Drivers of the Year
Luis Gonzalez, Recology Golden Gate
Melvin Mello III, Recology San Francisco
Zac Ramsey, Recology Arcata
2025 Driver of the Year Honorable Mentions
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David Barbagelata, Recology Sunset Scavenger, Honorable Mention – Residential
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Jaime Blanco, Recology Butte Colusa Counties, Honorable Mention – Residential
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Quincy Bundage, Recology Sunset Scavenger, Honorable Mention – Commercial
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Mike Burian, Recology San Francisco, Honorable Mention – Safety
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Jose Duran, Recology Davis, Honorable Mention – Residential
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Miguel Garcia, Recology Vacaville-Solano, Honorable Mention – Roll-Off
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Michael Gunter, Recology Ashland, Honorable Mention – Roll-Off
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Rigoberto Lopez, Recology Sunset Scavenger, Honorable Mention – Roll-off
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Rodney McAlavey, Recology San Francisco, Honorable Mention – Safety
We congratulate each of these drivers on their well-earned recognition! Their hard work, attention to safety, and service to their communities set a powerful example—not just for Recology, but for the entire industry.
Congratulations, everyone, and thank you for all that you do for your communities!