Nominations Open for Recycling Excellence Awards

McKinley Elementary School in Wauwatosa was recognized in 2017 for its successful, new food-composting program. Photo submitted by McKinley Elementary School.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting nominations for its 2022 Recycling Excellence Awards through Sept. 16. Communities, organizations, schools and businesses of any size are encouraged to nominate themselves or another program to showcase outstanding recycling or waste-minimization initiatives. The DNR bestows the awards to both recognize these efforts and share innovative ideas with a broad audience to improve waste-management practices.

Among the DNR’s goals is to reduce per-capita food waste that ends up in Wisconsin landfills, so food-waste recovery or diversion programs are eligible for the awards, which are offered in four categories: overall program, projects and initiatives, innovation, and special events. 

Applicants are encouraged to submit supporting materials such as outreach samples, data, graphs and high-resolution photos. Find out more and fill out the application form at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Recycling/Awards.html.