Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division Awards 

Distinguished Individual Achievement Award  

The Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Technical Division Distinguished Individual Achievement Award (DIAA) recognizes efforts on behalf of individual SWANA members for service to the SMM Technical Division, support of the mission of SWANA to advance the practice of municipal solid waste management, and overall long-term service to the solid waste management industry. 

Award winners will be selected by the division's Awards Committee. The following will be taken into consideration during the selection process:

1. Service to the Technical Division: Nominee is a current member of the Technical Division. Has served in one or more leadership positions in the division. Has actively participated in division committees.
2. Support of SWANA Mission: Nominee is an active member of their chapter and may have served on the SWANA Board of Directors, Advisory Board, or other national or chapter committees.
3. Contributions to the Solid Waste Management Field and Other Factors: Nominee's work includes active roles and responsibilities in this sector of solid waste management and demonstrates strong character through their activities throughout the industry.

View the SMM Technical Division DIAA Submission Criteria »

The SMM Technical Division Advancement Award recognizes the efforts of individuals or organizations including non-profits involved with policy, research, legislation, program development, and/or other initiatives that are blazing new paths for the future of sustainability. The Advancement Award was developed to recognize advancement within the framework of sustainable materials management and in support of SWANA’s mission to advance the practice of municipal solid waste (MSW) management. This award differs from the Distinguished Individual Achievement Award, in which the nominee works directly within the solid waste management sector.

Examples of this might include:

• Integral involvement in legislation that advances environmental protection and public health that serves as a model for effective policy making in the field of solid waste management.
• A community program related to improving access to and efficiency of solid waste management that can serve a model for the industry.
• Publication of a research project that provided insight into solid waste management that can serve as a best practice for the solid waste industry.

View the SMM Technical Division Advancement Award Submission Criteria »

Organization Award  

The Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division Organization Award is given to one organization each year that is advancing the sustainable use of materials throughout their lifecycle to minimize waste and environmental impacts. 

Entries will be evaluated based on the EPA’s strategic sustainable materials management program objectives:

1. Decrease Disposal Rate:  Focus is on tracking and reducing the overall amount of materials disposed, which would encompass activities targeting source reduction, reuse, recycling and prevention.
2. Reduce Environmental Impacts of Materials:  Focus is on the entire life cycle, including greenhouse gas emissions and reductions in water and energy use.
3. Increase Socioeconomic Benefits:  Focus is on tracking and reporting material impacts on the economy as well as social aspects.
4. Increase Capacity of Government, Communities and Stakeholders to Adopt and Implement SMM Policies, Practices and Incentives:  Focus is on increasing the per capita quantity and quality of recyclables recovered for manufacturing and increasing the number of households with access to both recycling and organics collection.  Examples of elements to be included are:

• The Built Environment – how lifecycle SMM concepts were incorporated into the built environment marketplace; advanced climate adaptation and community resilience efforts; and improved or enhanced data and measurement of C&D and industrial by-product materials.
• Sustainable Food Management – infrastructure to support alternatives to landfill disposal of wasted food; opportunities across the entire food life cycle to reduce wasted food from landfills; and measurements of wasted food.
• Sustainable Purchasing – work with governments, communities, and key stakeholders as strategic partners; and research, data collection and measurement for packaging.

View SMM Technical Division Organization Award Submission Criteria »

Sustainable Materials Management Young Professional Impact Award 

The Young Professional (YP) Impact Award recognizes individuals 35 or younger that have demonstrated leadership by developing, revising, and/or implementing a system, tool, process, project, initiative, or program within the solid waste and resource management industry that has had a positive impact on sustainable materials management.

View SMM Young Professional Award Impact Award Submission Criteria »