The National 91仓库 & Recycling Association (NWRA) is now accepting applications for its 2026 Recycling Awards, recognizing innovators and leaders in the recycling and waste industry across six categories. All nomination applications are due by Friday, July 31. The awards will be presented on January 20, 2027 at the NWRA annual Industry Conference in Nashville, TN.
鈥淭he waste and recycling industry continues to make meaningful investments in recycling infrastructure, organics recovery, and innovative technologies that help recover valuable resources and advance sustainability and a circular economy,鈥� said Michael E. Hoffman, president and CEO of the NWRA. 鈥淭he NWRA Recycling Awards honor the outstanding work being done by our members and partners whose commitment, investment, and innovation are helping to strengthen the circular economy. We encourage everyone eligible to apply and help showcase the positive impact our industry makes in communities across the country every day.鈥�
NWRA鈥檚 Recycling Awards recognize leading facilities and innovators whose work is advancing the recycling industry and raising standards for performance and sustainability. The award categories highlight breakthrough technologies, exemplary facilities, and programs that document real-world progress and measurable impact.
Game Changing Partnership in听Sustainability听
This听is NWRA鈥檚 premiere award in sustainability. It celebrates a program,听service,听or policy听that听delivers听at a level听so high it听changes听the standard for听service delivery,听the way people think about material recovery听or environmental protection,听or听how听sustainability is听communicated听鈥� literally, a听game changer听for that听community听or audience.听听The award听equally听celebrates the听unique听partnership听on which听the program,听service,听or policy relies.听At least one member of the partnership should be an NWRA member.
Recycling Equipment Innovator
This award听recognizes听innovation in design and manufacturing that has听advanced the industry by听increasing听effectiveness or efficiency of recycling equipment and operations. Applicants must be NWRA members.
Recycling Facility of the Year听
NWRA is seeking听outstanding听recycling facilities听owned/operated听by either听NWRA members or public sector/non-profit entities. The award recognizes the facility that leads all other facilities in one or more key measurements听to stand as the听preeminent recycling facility of the year.
Organics Facility of the Year
This award recognizes an organics management facility that has made a significant impact in diverting organics from disposal. The winning facility will serve as a model to others seeking to implement an organics management program. NWRA members or public sector/non-profit entities are eligible to apply.
Construction & Demolition (C&D) Recycling Facility of the Year听
This award听celebrates a C&D recycling facility that has embraced听waste prevention and effective use, reuse, and recovery of resources. NWRA seeks a facility that听serves听as a model for C&D debris diversion and听that instills a culture of sustainable debris management听among employees.听Only听NWRA members听and/or public sector/non-profit entities听are eligible to apply.
Excellence in Recycling or Sustainability Public Education听
This award is open to public, private, and non-governmental organizations that exemplify excellence in recycling or public education sustainability programs. Applicants should submit program materials, methodologies, and data that show how the public education recycling or sustainability program or campaign has improved performance of the program or system it supports.
NWRA听will听notify winners in October 2026听and celebrate all听Recycling Awards winners in person during the NWRA Industry Conference being held January听18-20,听2027,听in Nashville, Tennessee.