Recycling Awards

Annual MassRecycle Awards

MassRecycle is eagerly requesting nominations for its 31st Annual Awards recognizing outstanding achievements in and contributions towards recycling, reuse, and waste reduction in Massachusetts.

MassRecycle celebrates the most creative, enthusiastic, and determined people working to make a difference by advancing reducing, reusing, and recycling in their communities.

Acknowledge the innovative programs and people that a more sustainable Massachusetts depends on.

All award winners will be selected by MassRecycle Board members. Metrics, population served, and notable challenges will be taken into account. Nominations that clearly demonstrate innovation, leadership, and social impact have the greatest chance to win. Final award decisions are neither influenced nor determined by the number of separate applications submitted for one nominee. The Board will consider the quality of the nominations, not the quantity.

See a list of all previous winners by clicking here.

Criteria to Apply:

Person or organization must be based in or do business in Massachusetts.
Programs must have been in existence for at least one year.
Programs can include or be related to curbside or drop off, recycling or diversion of any waste, reuse, composting, or food rescue.
Self-nomination is allowed and encouraged.
Nominations for prior winners for the same category will not be accepted unless they represent distinct new programs.

How to Apply

Online Nomination Instructions & Application | 2026 Printable Award Nomination Instructions and Application

Award Categories

Individual – Presented to an individual in the sustainable materials management industry, who deserves special recognition for contributing to recycling, reuse and/or waste reduction in Massachusetts through leadership, sharing knowledge with others, or other avenues.
Youth – Presented to a student, currently in middle or high school, that has launched an environmental club, or initiated a reuse or recycling collection of materials for the community or school.
Volunteer – Presented to an individual who deserves special recognition for contributing to recycling, reuse and/or waste reduction in Massachusetts in a volunteer capacity through leadership, sharing knowledge with others, or other avenues.
Municipal – Presented to a municipality that has developed an outstanding municipal recycling program. Including Recycling Dividends Program metrics in the nomination narrative is encouraged. Innovation, leadership and/or overcoming political obstacles are highly weighted.
Transfer Station open 3 days/week or fewer – Presented to a municipal transfer station that is only open 3 days per week or fewer, and has developed an outstanding recycling program, maximized diversion, or implemented creative solutions to address its community’s unique challenges. Innovation, leadership and/or overcoming challenges are highly weighted.
College/University – Presented to a college employee or student that has developed and/or is operating an outstanding recycling, reuse and/or waste reduction program. Special consideration is given to programs that emphasize collaboration.
Institution – Presented to a healthcare, government, or nonprofit organization, that has developed and/or is operating an outstanding recycling, reuse and/or waste reduction program.
Business – Presented to a traditional business that has developed and operates an outstanding recycling/waste reduction program that increases recycling and/or reduces waste generated by their business.
Public Servant – Presented to a politician or government official that has demonstrated great leadership in pushing forward waste reduction, reuse, and recycling in the Commonwealth through implementation of innovative programs or legislation.