(April 8, 2025 - Washington, D.C.) – The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) announced today that it will recognize Steve Levetan with its 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award at ReMA2025 in San Diego. Levetan will be honored for his years of advocacy work within the recycled materials industry and community.
“Steve’s commitment to advocating on behalf of recyclers is truly unmatched,” said ReMA President Robin Wiener. “From his work authoring and passing legislation that affirms that Scrap Is not Waste in our Southeast Region, to leading efforts related to catalytic converter theft prevention and emphasis on recyclers working with law enforcement, Steve’s ability to galvanize others for the collective good of the industry should be celebrated. I am delighted Steve has been chosen as the 2025 ReMA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.”
Levetan has served the recycled materials industry for more than 50 years. He formerly served as Executive Vice President of Pull-A-Part, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia—one of the largest self-serve used auto parts retailers and recyclers in the country. Prior to that, he was an owner of, and operated his family’s metal and paper recycling company from 1970 to 1986, which was founded in Atlanta, Georgia by his grandfather in 1919. From 1987 to 2005, Levetan owned a public affairs firm, through which he was instrumental in crafting and passing metals theft, solid waste and recycling, and auto recycling legislation, before being asked to join Pull-A-Part as a partner. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice appointed Levetan to serve on the Federal Advisory Board of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS).
“I am humbled and honored to be named the 2025 ReMA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient,” said Levetan. “I have been privileged to have worked with, and learned from, many of the past recipients; other great friends in the recycled materials industry; and now over 50 years of amazing professional association leadership and staff. It is because of their mentorship that I have been able to help accomplish what we have in this industry.”
Levetan contributed significantly to ReMA throughout his career. Since 1970, he has served as a board member of the Southeast Region, as well as a legislative chair. He has been active in multiple ReMA chapters and regions and served as an officer or board member of several state recycling associations. He Chaired the ReMA Auto Recycling Committee, the State working group, ReMA’s Catalytic Converter Theft working group. Levetan also served on the Ferrous Division and several other committees. In 2018, he was the lifetime achievement award recipient from ReMA’s Southeast Chapter. Then, in 2020, he was elected as an At-Large member of the ReMA Board of Directors.
“Congratulations to Steve on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from ReMA,” said ReMA Chair Colin Kelly. “This recognition is a testament to Steve’s hard work, dedication, and the profound impact he’s made in our field. Steve’s passion and commitment have inspired many, including myself. This achievement is not just a milestone; it’s a reflection of Steve’s unwavering pursuit of excellence.”
In addition to his activities within ReMA, Levetan has a history of serving the state of Georgia. He has been appointed to the Georgia Recycling Market Development Council, Hazardous Sites Remediation Act Reauthorization Study Committee, the Computer Equipment Disposal and Recycling Council, and Governor Perdue’s Litter Team, Founding Board Member of the Georgia Recycling Coalition, President of the Georgia Association of Recycling Industries, Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee, Chair of the Sandy Springs Conservancy, and many more. He has also received the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Man of the Year and Automotive Recyclers Association Member of the Year, and the Association’s President’s Award. In the summer of 2016, Levetan was one of two inaugural inductees into the Georgia Recycling Coalition Hall of Fame.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually by ReMA’s chair to bestow recognition and honor upon an individual(s) in the recycled materials industry whose name and deeds are synonymous with integrity and the pursuit of excellence, and who has made significant contributions over their lifetime to the recycled materials industry and the organization. Levetan will be recognized during the awards presentation on May 14, 2025, during the ReMA2025 Convention and Exposition in San Diego, California.
Members of the press are invited to attend ReMA2025 Convention, free-of-charge by registering with rbookman@recycledmaterials.org.
To learn more about the recycled materials industry, visit recycledmaterials.org.
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For more information contact: Rachel Bookman, rbookman@recycledmaterials.org.
The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) represents more than 1,700 companies in the U.S. and 40 countries around the globe. Based in Washington, D.C., ReMA provides advocacy, education, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycled materials play in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development.