We are honored and proud to share that Ed R Vogel, Vice President of Vogel Disposal Service which is a sister company of Valley Waste, has been officially inducted into the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) Hall of Fame, joining an elite class of leaders who have left a notable legacy in the waste and recycling industry.
Ed’s induction was announced as part of the 2025 Hall of Fame Class, a prestigious group selected by the NWRA Board of Trustees from a highly competitive slate of finalists. The honor was celebrated during the first annual NWRA Awards Gala at WasteExpo in Las Vegas on May 5, 2025—a night dedicated to recognizing excellence, innovation, and service across the industry.
This achievement celebrates Ed’s decades-long career, his steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability, and the multigenerational legacy of the Vogel family in the waste business.
What Is the NWRA Hall of Fame?
The NWRA Hall of Fame is the highest recognition awarded in our industry. It honors individuals who have made extraordinary lifetime contributions to the waste and recycling industry and the NWRA itself.
Each year, inductees are evaluated and selected based on five key criteria:
Pioneering contributions and industry vision
Long-term impact (25+ years of service)
Embodiment of values such as integrity, mentorship, and inclusiveness
Inspirational leadership in the public or private sector
Meaningful engagement with NWRA and its mission
The award serves as recognition that the inductees have made extraordinary lifetime contributions to the waste and recycling industry. The industry is different because of them.
From Riding in Trucks to Steering a Legacy
Ed R Vogel has literally grown up in the waste industry. Ed’s life and career have been defined by hard work, innovation, and integrity from his earliest days riding alongside his father in garbage trucks to now leading our future-focused waste company.
“This moment isn’t just about me,” Ed shared during his acceptance speech. “It’s about legacy. It’s about a family business that started with hard work, grit, and deep respect.”
His parents founded Vogel Disposal more than 67 years ago. From their early days servicing western Pennsylvania communities, the company has evolved into a regional leader in waste management, recycling, landfill operations, and environmental solutions. That success is thanks in large part to Ed’s vision and leadership.
For Ed, success is more than business growth. He’s always focused on serving people and communities with the goal of leaving the world better for future generations. The job encompasses more than just hauling away our community’s refuse. We are helping to build cleaner, safer communities.
Leading Through Innovation and Environmental Responsibility
One of the defining themes of Ed’s career is adaptation with purpose. As the industry shifted toward environmental responsibility and sustainable innovation, Ed ensured Vogel Disposal was ahead of the curve—not just keeping up, but leading.
He oversaw the company’s first materials recovery facility, enabling large-scale single-stream recycling in the region. He helped transition the company’s fleet to renewable natural gas, developing a closed-loop system that captures methane from landfills and uses it to power over 200 trucks.
Instead of merely adapting to new regulations and technologies, Vogel led the charge with Ed’s leadership. One of Ed’s most significant accomplishments is the decades-long fight to reopen and remediate the Tri-County Landfill. A complex, regulatory and environmental challenge spanning over 30 years, the effort reflects Ed’s tireless dedication to environmental stewardship.
“We wanted to be able to dig up the old site and put it on a double liner so that future generations didn’t have to deal with it,” Ed shared. “We did that with our Seneca landfill. Not all of it, but the majority. Because I don’t think any of us want to leave old legacy sites if we can avoid it.”
The project not only resolved a longstanding issue, but turned it into a forward-looking asset that embodies the principles of responsible waste management.
A Family Business and a Family Honor
Ed’s induction is especially meaningful because it marks the second time a member of the Vogel family has been welcomed into the NWRA Hall of Fame, joining his father before him. It is a rare and powerful testament to the multi-generational impact the Vogel family has had on the industry.
Their shared legacy underscores a deep-rooted commitment to service, innovation, and environmental responsibility that has shaped both the company and the broader waste and recycling industry. Ed’s induction honors his individual accomplishments and celebrates the enduring values passed down through generations of leadership at Vogel Disposal.
Looking Ahead with the Same Dedication
Even with a career full of accolades and achievements, Ed shows no signs of slowing down. His focus remains on the future. He looks forward to mentoring the next generation, fostering sustainable innovation, and ensuring that Vogel Disposal continues to serve its communities with the same purpose-driven values it was founded on.
“I promise to do this with the same dedication and drive that brought us here,” he said.
From all of us at Valley Waste, we extend our deepest congratulations to Ed R Vogel on this extraordinary and well-deserved recognition. Your leadership, humility, and relentless pursuit of excellence continue to inspire us all.
Congratulations, Ed!