Organics Facility of the Year Award Application

This award is open to new or existing organics management facilities that are either NWRA members or public sector/non-profit entities that have made a significant impact in diverting organics through their management facility. The award is intended to celebrate achievements and commitment and inspire others. Applicants are asked to describe methodologies and provide data to quantify the impact and success of their work.

Nomination Fee: $150

Intent to Apply: Email Lyndsi Hicks (lhicks@wasterecycling.org) as soon as possible and include the name of the award. NWRA will issue an invoice, which must be paid no later than August 22, 2025, for the application to be considered.

Submission Deadline: Submit your completed application before or by August 22, 2025

Questions? Contact Sara Bixby at sbixby@wasterecycling.org 

Nomination Guidelines

Your application for Organics Management Facility of the Year should provide the information necessary for NWRA’s Recycling Committee and awards judges to understand how the nominated program improved recovery, management and recycling of organics materials. 

You will be asked to provide the following information within this form:

1. Applicant Information
   • Contact information (name, email, phone) for the individual preparing the application—this person will be responsible for answering questions, completing the form, and coordinating payment.
   • Indicate whether the applicant is an NWRA member or a public sector/non-profit entity not eligible for NWRA membership.
   • List of individuals (with titles and companies) responsible for the nominated facility.
     
     
2. Qualifying Criteria

NWRA’s Recycling Committee and awards judges will evaluate award applications based on the effect of the nominated Organics Management Facility on organics recycling, recovery, and reuse.

• Program background and goals (40 pts): Provide a narrative about the facility’s history and background. Include details about siting; design; size, equipment, and capacity of the facility. Discuss the facility’s goals and the materials accepted. Describe any major barriers to success that were resolved.
• Program effectiveness and metrics (45 pts): Identify sustainability measures —both qualitative and quantitative – and how the nominated facility works to achieve them. Include measurable results, and support your response with data, charts, graphs, and visuals (e.g., photos, schematics).
• Additional info and recognition (10 pts): Attach any supplemental materials such as letters of recommendation, brochures, print ads, videos, or other media. Highlight any awards or honors previously received.
• Application quality (5 pts): Applications will be reviewed for completeness, clarity, and overall presentation.

Also, remember the application fee must be paid by the August 22 application deadline for the nomination to be considered.

Before You Begin

This form contains many detailed questions and will take some time to complete. We strongly recommend that you first review the full list of questions in the downloadable overview so you can gather the necessary information and materials before beginning your submission.

All applications must be submitted using this Jotform. You will be asked to choose one of the following two submission methods for your Qualifying Criteria:

1. Upload a complete application as a single PDF that includes all required responses to the Qualifying Criteria section, along with any photos, figures, or attachments. The entire file must not exceed 20 pages.
   
   
2. Complete the application through this form by filling in the provided fields and uploading supporting materials where prompted. A compiled PDF will be generated upon submission and must also not exceed 20 pages in total length.

Submissions that exceed the page limit may be disqualified.

Data can be presented within your narrative responses or as supporting charts and graphs. A picture is worth a thousand word. Please include color photographs, drawings, or schematics that help illustrate your innovation and accomplishments.

You may upload multiple attachments in each file upload section. If you have several supporting documents or images, please attach them all as needed.

Questions? Contact Sara Bixby, sbixby@wasterecycling.org 

Describe the facility’s history, siting, design, size, equipment, and capacity. Include goals, materials accepted, and any significant challenges resolved.

Identify sustainability measures and how the facility works to meet them. Include data and visual evidence like charts, graphs, photos, and schematics.