HDR’s Emily Tucker Recognized as a SWANA YP of the Year

HDR’s Emily Tucker was named the East Region winner for the Solid Waste Association of North America’s inaugural YP of the Year Awards. Tucker, a solid waste engineer based in Charlotte, North Carolina, was one of three honorees in the class.

Tucker has worked at HDR for more than five years, focusing on landfill and solid waste facility design and permitting, solid waste management planning, and environmental compliance through site inspections.

“I was in disbelief, and I felt proud,” Tucker said of her initial reaction, which was on her way to a landfill site visit. “This is a special and unique opportunity, especially since this is the first year this award has been offered. It’s truly humbling.”

Beyond her work, Tucker has been an active member of both the North Carolina and South Carolina SWANA chapters, and currently serves on the board for the South Carolina Palmetto Chapter. She was also chosen for this year’s inaugural SWANA Young Professionals Leadership Academy. Tucker actively plans volunteer events for her office and previously served as volunteer chair for HDR’s internal Young Professionals group for two years.

“Emily is by far a shining example of what our industry needs,” said Mike Plummer, HDR solid waste section manager for the South Atlantic area. “She has the passion for learning, the initiative to get involved and the drive to improve what we do.”

SWANA’s YP of the Year Awards recognizes outstanding performance and dedication from young professionals in the solid waste or resource management profession in North America. Honorees are selected by the SWANA Young Professionals Steering Committee and will receive a physical award at WASTECON on Dec. 6 in San Diego.

To qualify for the award, honorees must be 35 years or younger, an active SWANA Young Professional member and have more than three years of work experience in the solid waste or resource management industry.