The Department of Environmental Protection announced on May 15 that it has opened nominations for the annual Recycling Awards program, which recognizes businesses, individuals, local governments, and organizations for achievements in recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability.
The awards aim to highlight efforts that help keep New Jersey’s lands and waters clean while supporting economic activity. Nominations are being accepted in partnership with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers through Friday, July 24. Applications must be submitted electronically after reviewing the 2026 nomination packet. Winners will be notified in September and honored at a ceremony later in the fall.
“New Jersey’s recycling efforts help keep our state, lands, and waters clean while also generating billions of dollars in economic activity each year,” said acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “We hope to see New Jersey’s many recycling champions share their work, ideas and passion by submitting nominations for this year’s recycling awards.”
New Jersey has been a national leader in recycling since passing mandatory legislation in 1987. The state’s strategy keeps millions of tons of materials out of landfills each year and helps conserve resources while reducing emissions from pollutants such as greenhouse gases. The recycling and reuse industry employs about 27,000 people statewide and contributes nearly $6 billion annually to the economy through transporters, processing facilities, and manufacturers using recycled products.
Nominations will be considered across eleven categories including Institution, Business, Retail Merchant, Government, Leadership, Rising Star, Recycling Industry, Outstanding Educator/Educational Program, Volunteer Citizen, Waste Reduction/Resource Management/Sustainability, and Recycled Products Procurement Star. Entries are judged by a panel from DEP and ANJR based on measurable outcomes as well as innovation or achievements beyond regulatory standards.
“We encourage individuals and organizations throughout New Jersey to nominate leaders in their communities who make recycling a priority and have helped educate others on the importance of keeping our recycling stream free of unacceptable items,” said Paul Baldauf, Assistant Commissioner for Air, Energy & Materials Sustainability.
Last year’s winners included a municipality with a high recycling rate; a business processing more than 16 thousand tons monthly; a nonprofit bike repair group diverting bicycles from waste; and a university running food pantry programs.
The Association of New Jersey Recyclers is described as “a nonprofit network representing public- and private-sector members working to promote sound resource management strategies through education” according to its official materials.
