Looking for Recycling Champions

Do you know a recycling superstar? An individual, group or organization that goes to exceptional lengths to create opportunities, so others can reduce, reuse, recycle or compost more? Nominate them for an Anoka County Recycling Champion Award. Recycling Champions selected will be acknowledged with a certificate of appreciation from the Anoka County Board of Commissioners at the Recycling Recognition Ceremony Wednesday, May 22.

Below are examples of activities that qualify an individual or an organization to be a Recycling Champion. A champion must go beyond their own personal activities to set up programs that allow others to reduce, reuse, recycle or compost at a location that didn’t have the opportunity before.

Reducing/reusing activities, waste prevention, include: holding a low-to-no waste event in the community; switching to reusable dishes, table cloths and decorations for special events; and setting up a clothing swap or organizing a neighborhood garage sale and making plans so that everyone can donate items that don’t sell.

Recycling/composting program creation activities include: starting a recycling or composting program at work, school, church which can involve meeting with the organization/facility staff to obtain permission; adding containers to set up a collection system; obtaining and placing signage or labels on containers; promoting the program; data collection on how much was recycled or composted; and obtaining proof that materials were picked up and brought to a recycling or composting facility.

Nomination forms are available online at AnokaCounty.us/recycle or by calling Anoka County Recycling and Resource Solutions at 763-324-3400. Applications are due on Friday, April 26.