The National Waste & 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.
“The 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,” said Michael E. Hoffman, president and CEO of the NWRA. “The 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.”
NWRA’s 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 Sustainability
This is NWRA’s premiere award in sustainability. It celebrates a program, service, or policy that delivers at a level so high it changes the standard for service delivery, the way people think about material recovery or environmental protection, or how sustainability is communicated – literally, a game changer for that community or audience. The award equally celebrates the unique partnership on which the program, service, or policy relies. At least one member of the partnership should be an NWRA member.
Recycling Equipment Innovator
This award recognizes innovation in design and manufacturing that has advanced the industry by increasing effectiveness or efficiency of recycling equipment and operations. Applicants must be NWRA members.
Recycling Facility of the Year
NWRA is seeking outstanding recycling facilities owned/operated by either NWRA members or public sector/non-profit entities. The award recognizes the facility that leads all other facilities in one or more key measurements to stand as the 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
This award celebrates a C&D recycling facility that has embraced waste prevention and effective use, reuse, and recovery of resources. NWRA seeks a facility that serves as a model for C&D debris diversion and that instills a culture of sustainable debris management among employees. Only NWRA members and/or public sector/non-profit entities are eligible to apply.
Excellence in Recycling or Sustainability Public Education
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 will notify winners in October 2026 and celebrate all Recycling Awards winners in person during the NWRA Industry Conference being held January 18-20, 2027, in Nashville, Tennessee.