Peter J. Avagliano Award

Recycling Education & Research Foundation (RERF) invites you to nominate an employee for the Peter J. Avagliano Award. Established by Mr. Avagliano's family in his memory, the award recipient will receive complimentary registration to all ReMA virtual education events for one year and a commemorative plaque.

The Award will be given to a early-to-mid career recycled materials facility employee who best exemplifies the legacy and impact that Peter J. Avagliano had on the recycling industry.

The nominee should:

Demonstrate a commitment to the industry
Reflect leadership potential
Help everyone around them at the facility, in small tasks and large ones
Be a kind, respectful, and considerate team member
Exhibit a strong, hands-on work ethic


Mr. Peter J. Avagliano's career spanned 53 years at Schiavone-Bonomo Corporation, Jersey City, NJ (which in 1998 became Hugo Neu Schnitzer East, an affiliation of Hugo Neu Corp and Schnitzer Steel Industries). His extensive experience made him an international figure in the industry, most notably in the area of ferrous scrap exports. He joined Schiavone-Bonomo in 1950, beginning his career as an office assistant and plant worker, was promoted to Vice President in 1976, then became Executive Vice President in 1985. At the end of his career, he was a senior advisor to Hugo Neu Schnitzer East.

Mr. Avagliano was very active in the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel, and was president of its New Jersey Chapter from 1977 to 1979, as well as National Chair of its foreign trade committee in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Throughout his long career, he was privileged to know many of the leading figures in the industry, including Hugo Neu, who he referred to as his mentor and one of the finest teachers he ever had.

Wendy Kelman Neu, Chairman and CEO of Hugo Neu Corporation said, "Peter's passing represents the end of an era for Hugo Neu Corp. He was sorely missed by John and all of us when he became ill, but particularly John. He had relied on Peter's judgment, expertise, and especially his good humor and warmth. He was a real friend you could always rely on and we cherish every moment we spent with him."

Mr. Avagliano was often quoted as saying, "I have never had a boring day," referring to the ups and downs of the ferrous industry. He rarely missed a day of work, and at the height of his career spent at least six days a week at the office, perhaps the seventh day checking on the telex machine for a message from Japan until finally technology made that easier. He saw tremendous change in the industry over his career. Mergers and consolidations of family businesses changed the shape of the industry. Growing environmental consciousness also changed the safety requirements of his work and the industry where he played a senior leadership role.

Peter's career was interrupted in 1953 when he was drafted into the US Army. Peter credits his ability to get along with people to this most valuable lesson from military service: "How to work with and get along with people." Peter's military career began in basic training in Louisiana, and he finished as a sergeant with the 10th Mountain Division infantry unit. After his discharge from active service, he resumed his career and continued his college education by taking night classes at Seton Hall University, earning a degree in management in 1961.


Please submit nominations online no later than February 28, 2025.