Who We Are.
Behind every pickup, shipment, and solution is a team driven by purpose
Pioneering the Path to Sustainable Waste
Our Story.
In 1994, Ray Graczyk saw a problem—used mercury lamps piling up with nowhere safe to go. So, alongside Robert E. Robert, he launched Northeast Lamp Recycling. By 1996, they were officially permitted and running Connecticut’s first (and still only) DEEP-approved lamp recycling facility.
What started with fluorescent bulbs quickly expanded. Over the next two decades, NLR grew from a regional operation to a nationwide service—adding recycling programs for electronics, batteries, ballasts, mercury devices, and more. From our BakPak mail-back program to our growing fleet of trucks, we’ve kept one mission in focus: make waste management smarter, safer, and greener.
With national recognition from Inc. 5000 and CT DEEP’s GreenCircle Awards, NLR continues to raise the bar for what responsible recycling looks like.
Our Story.
In 1994, Ray Graczyk saw a problem—used mercury lamps piling up with nowhere safe to go. So, alongside Robert E. Robert, he launched Northeast Lamp Recycling. By 1996, they were officially permitted and running Connecticut’s first (and still only) DEEP-approved lamp recycling facility.
What started with fluorescent bulbs quickly expanded. Over the next two decades, NLR grew from a regional operation to a nationwide service—adding recycling programs for electronics, batteries, ballasts, mercury devices, and more. From our BakPak mail-back program to our growing fleet of trucks, we’ve kept one mission in focus: make waste management smarter, safer, and greener.
With national recognition from Inc. 5000 and CT DEEP’s GreenCircle Awards, NLR continues to raise the bar for what responsible recycling looks like.
We show up—no matter the weather. Reliability isn’t just a promise; it’s our baseline. At NLR, we blend old-school service with future-forward tech to make sure your universal waste gets picked up, processed, and handled right—every time.
We’re not just a company. We’re a crew. A team of people who care—about each other, our customers, and the planet. Whether you’re talking to our drivers or emailing our office, you’ll feel the difference. This is what doing it right looks like.
Meet our founders.
Those who started it all.
Ray Graczyk
President
Officer
From Vision to Legislation: A Leader Driving Environmental Progress
Ray launched NLR with one goal: keep mercury out of the environment and do it right. As president of both NLR and the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers (ALMR), he’s helped shape national recycling policy and worked directly with lawmakers to pass landmark legislation—including the Universal Waste Rule and mercury labeling laws that went nationwide.
Today, Ray remains a leading voice in the industry, championing smarter recycling and pushing for change where it matters most.
Robert E. Robert
Vice President
Officer
A Man of Two Worlds: Championing the Planet and Inspiring People
Robert stands at the heart of NLR’s mission, driving the organization’s growth, brand recognition, and operational excellence. His leadership has shaped NLR’s success both administratively and strategically, ensuring that its environmental goals are met with precision and purpose.
Yet Robert’s impact reaches far beyond the professional sphere. As the founder and chief instructor of the Jukido Jujutsu Dojo (jukido.com), he has dedicated more than four decades to teaching Jujutsu and Karate to thousands of students around the world. Through his instruction, he empowers individuals with skills in self-defense, personal safety, and awareness—values that mirror his commitment to protecting the planet.
In addition to his teaching, Robert serves as Vice Chairman of the Kokondo Association and co-authored Sankosho, a guidebook written with his late instructor, Shihan Paul Arel. Whether leading environmental initiatives or guiding students on the mat, Robert exemplifies balance, discipline, and a lifelong dedication to making the world a safer, stronger place.
Ray Graczyk
Founder & President, NLR
Officer
Ray launched NLR with one goal: keep mercury out of the environment and do it right. As president of both NLR and the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers (ALMR), he’s helped shape national recycling policy and worked directly with lawmakers to pass landmark legislation—including the Universal Waste Rule and mercury labeling laws that went nationwide.
Today, Ray remains a leading voice in the industry, championing smarter recycling and pushing for change where it matters most.
Robert E. Robert
Vice President
Officer
Robert’s been part of NLR since day one—helping turn an idea into Connecticut’s first mercury lamp recycling facility back in 1996. Since then, he’s been driving NLR’s growth and mission to keep harmful waste out of the environment. You may have seen him on TV or in The Hartford Courant, always advocating for smarter, safer recycling.
Outside the office, Robert runs the House of Jujitsu and serves as Vice Chairman of the International Kokondo Association. He’s taught thousands the art of traditional self-defense and co-authored Sankosho, a guide to the Kokondo way.
Meet the rest of our team.
At NLR, we’re all-in on doing things right. From the warehouse to the road to the inbox, our team is committed to delivering smart, safe, and compliant recycling—without cutting corners. We keep our partners in check, the planet in mind, and the bar high. Because for us, it’s simple: recycle better, live greener.
Olive
Director of Recycling
Officer
Sherri Sandiford
Administrative Specialist
Administrative
Sean Unger
Warehouse Manager
Administrative
Radha Jadhav Kashappa
Salesforce Admin
IT - Software
Suzanne Nardi
Customer Service Supervisor
Sales
Dina Nelson
NLR Recycling Consultant
Sales
Patrick Meyer
NLR Recycling Consultant
Sales
Christine Jenkins
Service Coordinator / Logistics
Drivers
Elissa Ellaird
Office Assistant
Administrative
Deborah Burnham
Accounts Receivable Specialist
Administrative
Joseph Maldonado
Warehouse Technician
Battery Division
Reinaldo Leon-Rodriguez
Warehouse Technician
Battery Division
Dustin Schweitzer
Warehouse Technician
e-Waste Division
Ernest Washington
Warehouse Technician
e-Waste Division
Robert Lesniewski
Lamp Technician
Lamp Division
Nikolas Gonzalez
Lamp Technician
Lamp Division
Michael Hennessey
Warehouse Technician
Misc Division
Miguel Rios
Warehouse Technician
Misc Division
Christopher Gonzalez
Warehouse Technician
Misc Division
Our Locations
Lamp Processing
Our lamp processing facility is located next door to our corporate office and close to our Universal Waste Housing (UWH) warehouse, ensuring fast turnaround for your spent lamps.
Corporate Offices
Our main office sits adjacent to our lamp processing facility within the industrial complex at 256 Main Street, East Windsor, CT 06088.
Our Corporate Office Hours
Mon-Fri 7am to 5pm EST
UWH Warehouse
Our Universal Waste Housing Warehouse is just minutes from I-91 and conveniently located near our main offices and lamp processing facility, allowing for fast and efficient sorting of your universal waste.
Olive
Director of Recycling
Officer
Sherri Sandiford
Administrative Specialist
Administrative
Sean Unger
Warehouse Manager
Administrative
Radha Jadhav Kashappa
Salesforce Admin
IT - Software
Suzanne Nardi
Customer Service Supervisor
Sales
Dina Nelson
NLR Recycling Consultant
Sales
Patrick Meyer
NLR Recycling Consultant
Sales
Christine Jenkins
Service Coordinator / Logistics
Drivers
Elissa Ellaird
Office Assistant
Administrative
Deborah Burnham
Accounts Receivable Specialist
Administrative
Joseph Maldonado
Warehouse Technician
Battery Division
Reinaldo Leon-Rodriguez
Warehouse Technician
Battery Division
Dustin Schweitzer
Warehouse Technician
e-Waste Division
Ernest Washington
Warehouse Technician
e-Waste Division
Robert Lesniewski
Lamp Technician
Lamp Division
Nikolas Gonzalez
Lamp Technician
Lamp Division
Michael Hennessey
Warehouse Technician
Misc Division
Miguel Rios
Warehouse Technician
Misc Division