Recycling industry leader George Adams honored for decades of impact and leadership
The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) today announced that George Adams, CEO and President of SA Recycling and Former ReMA Chair, is the recipient of the 2026 Chair’s Distinguished Leadership Award.
The award, selected by ReMA Chair Colin Kelly, honors an individual whose leadership has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the recycled materials industry and ReMA community. Adams will receive the award on April 15 at the ReMA Convention in Las Vegas.
“I am so excited to introduce a new honor—one that recognizes not just leadership, but the kind of leadership that elevates an entire industry,” said ReMA Chair Colin Kelly. “It is only fitting that the inaugural recipient of the Chair’s Distinguished Leadership Award is George Adams. George’s leadership reflects everything this award stands for—integrity, commitment, and lasting impact on our industry. He is a leader who has not only helped shape where we are today but also has paved the way for where we are going.”
“What makes George a truly distinguished leader is his unwavering dedication to both the recycled materials industry and ReMA over many decades,” said ReMA President Robin Wiener. “From building one of the largest recycled materials companies in the country, to leading ReMA during a pivotal time for the industry and continuing to actively contribute well beyond his term as Chair, George has had a lasting impact on who we are today. We are stronger, wiser, and better because of his guidance, influence, and leadership—and we know his contributions are far from over.”
Adams began his career in the recycled materials industry in the late 1970s and has played a central role in the growth of SA Recycling, a company founded by his father as a single metals recycling operation in Anaheim, California. Today, SA Recycling operates more than 150 locations nationwide, employs approximately 4,000 people, and is a major processor of recycled materials in the United States.
He served as Chairman of ReMA from 2008 to 2010, helping guide the organization during a period of significant industry change and global market evolution.
“I joined this association in 1978 because I believed in its mission,” said Adams. “I’ve seen firsthand the critical role this industry plays in manufacturing and the economy, and I’m honored to receive this recognition.”
The Chair’s Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose careers reflect sustained leadership, industry advancement, and a commitment to strengthening the future of recycling. Recipients are inducted into the Chair’s Hall of Fame, creating a lasting legacy within the organization.
