2025 NRC RECYCLING AWARDS
Nominate by August 1, 2025!
The NRC Recycling Awards honor exceptional individuals, programs, and organizations that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and dedication in advancing sustainability and waste reduction efforts. By recognizing these trailblazers, the awards not only celebrate their achievements but also inspire others to adopt best practices, invest in environmental stewardship, and contribute to a more sustainable, circular economy. Highlighting their impact helps drive continued progress and fosters a culture of accountability, innovation, and community engagement in the recycling and waste management sectors. Please help us recognize these leaders!
Last year’s winners included:
- National Stewardship Action Council for promoting a circular economy,
- Stanford University for leadership in sustainability education,
- Kathryn Gordon of Flat Can Recycling, who is revolutionizing recycling access in the Midwest.
Honorees included:
- Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn for her zero-waste initiatives
- Rick Anthony, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work in Zero Waste planning.
Nominations are due
Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time)
All winners will be recognized in person at the NRC Recycling Congress Reception on October 2, 2025, in Wichita, KS. Nominees do not need to be a NRC member. View the Program Schedule and Register for the event.
Award Categories:
- Lifetime Achievement in Recycling: outstanding individual with lifetime of leadership/dedication to the field
- Recycler of the Year: outstanding individual with leadership/dedication to the field over the past year
- Bill Heenan Emerging Leader Award: outstanding individual under 35 who has emerged as leader in field
- Outstanding Recycling Innovation: recognizing an outstanding innovation in recycling, organics, or reduction that moves the industry forward
- Outstanding Recycling Organization: State or other recycling organization with outstanding growth, programs, leadership, or contribution/impact in the field
- The Fred Schmitt Award for Outstanding Corporate Leadership: awarded to a company showing leadership, innovation, success as model in recycling/diversion
- Outstanding Not-for-profit Business Leadership: for a nonprofit company showing leadership, innovation, success as model in recycling/diversion
- The Tim McClure Award for Outstanding Community or Government Program: for program showing innovation, progress, success as model for other public programs
- Outstanding Elected Leader: for an elected individual (City, County, State, Federal), with outstanding growth, programs, leadership, or contribution/impact in the field
- The Beth Brown Boettner Award for Outstanding Public Education/Outreach Program: for program showing innovation, leadership, effectiveness, creativity in diversion messaging.
- Outstanding Market Development: for program showing innovation, progress, success as model for other programs
- Outstanding Diversity Leadership (business or individual): awarded to a company or individual showing leadership, innovation, success as model in recycling/diversion
- Outstanding K-12 School Program: awarded to a company or individual showing leadership, innovation, success as model in recycling/diversion
- Outstanding Higher Education: exceptional program in diversion or circularity connecting higher education and the industry (such as degree programs and career services, applied research, tech transfer, and links with recycling or diversion industries.) The intention of this award is to look beyond campus collection programs.
SUBMIT your nomination using this NOMINATION FORM and help us honor outstanding contributions to recycling and sustainability. Be part of the celebration of excellence and innovation in the field.
For questions or further information, please contact Ann Gibbs at 970-443-2413 or [email protected].
Sponsorship Opportunity:
Support the National Recycling Coalition Awards ceremony. Consider an Awards and Reception Sponsorship for just $1,000 and gain recognition during the awards reception. Show your commitment to sustainability and innovation in recycling while helping us honor the leaders and programs helping to shape our sustainable future.
