Caruso & Company Recognized By Industry Peers

CHICAGO, ILL. — On Tuesday, May 6, Pat Caruso and Associated Refuse Haulers of Sandy Hook received the National Solid Wastes Management Association’s (NSWMA) Special Governor’s Award for years of service to NSWMA’s Connecticut Chapter during an awards ceremony and national industry trade show, WasteExpo 2008. The 40th anniversary trade show took place in Chicago, with the conference running May 5–7 and exhibits presented May 6–8.

NSWMA is the trade association representing private solid waste collection and disposal companies throughout North America. Associated Refuse Haulers, a hometown hauler proudly serving the greater Newtown area, has distinguished itself through extraordinary customer service.

Upon college graduation, Mr Caruso began selling garbage collection equipment in the Virginia area and later moved to Connecticut to sell equipment there. In 1982, he opened his own garbage hauling company, Associated Refuse Haulers, and introduced residential cart systems to the area. Today, his company has 18 trucks and is still growing.

Mr Caruso is known for his honesty and integrity in running his business, which is why he has played a key role in educating local leaders and members of the state legislature about NSWMA’s Connecticut chapter’s legislative and regulatory positions.

“Legitimate businesses should not be penalized with unreasonable and burdensome state requirements,” Mr Caruso said. “Our job as an industry is to inform the public about what we do and why.”

In addition to his waste industry service, Mr Caruso is a member of Newtown Rotary Club, where he helps out in the soup kitchen and raises funds for local community service groups as well as international services in developing countries.

“I am proud to be assisting the Rotary, known for eradicating polio in many parts of the world,” said Mr Caruso.

“Pat has been an active member of NSWMA, playing a lead role in supporting the Connecticut chapter for over a decade,” said Bruce Parker, NSWMA’s president and CEO. “He has helped create a positive industry image for both his company and the solid waste industry.”