In honor of America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announces the winners of the 2026 Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Awards.
Wisconsin’s recycling law bans certain materials from the trash and establishes a statewide recycling program. For the last 14 years, the DNR has celebrated outstanding recycling and waste minimization efforts through its annual awards. In addition to giving recognition, the Recycling Excellence Awards highlight ideas and strategies with proven track records that other organizations may use to improve their recycling endeavors. This year, the DNR is recognizing 18 organizations for going beyond what is required by law.
“This year’s winners successfully implemented robust and sustainable diversion programs within their organizations and communities,” said Jennifer Semrau, DNR waste reduction and diversion coordinator. “The amount of food waste, plastic, metal and other types of waste they have saved from landfills is truly impressive.”
In addition to landfill-banned items, which include curbside recyclables and electronics, the winners also diverted many tons of food waste, paper, plastic bags and film, scrap metal, fire extinguishers, bicycles, eyeglasses and other common materials for reuse or recycling.
The DNR gives awards in four categories: Projects and Initiatives, Overall Program, Special Events and Innovation.
Congratulations to the 2026 Recycling Excellence Award winners:
Projects & Initiatives
Brown County Hazardous Material Recovery Facility
Communities at Oshkosh North High School
Goodwill of South-Central Wisconsin
Milwaukee German Immersion School
Purple Cow Organics
Overall Program
Attic Angel Prairie Point Green Committee
Brookfield Elementary School
City of Hartford
City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
Eau Claire Area School District
InSinkErator
Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful
Outpost Grocery Co-op
Purple Door Ice Cream, LLC
St. Croix County Recycling
Special Events
Friends of Beaver Creek Reserve
Great Green Bay Junk Drawer, Basement and Garage DeCluttering Event
Honorable Mention
Village of Union Grove
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