2016 WasteWise Awards

Partner and endorser awards are based on data reported in the SMM Data Management System (partners and endorsers) and a narrative description of activities (endorsers only). Partners will be evaluated using a weighted average of evaluation criteria as described below. In addition to reported data or narrative description of activities, winners are selected based on results of both civil and criminal enforcement screens and other qualitative factors. To be eligible for awards, both partners and endorsers must have submitted 2015 annual data and 2016 annual goals by March 31, 2016. Award applications are due by April 30, 2016.

Partner Awardees

Partner awards will be given based on data reported. Both "Partner of the Year" and "Honorable Mention" awards will be given in multiple sector-based categories. Award categories are the same as in previous years and include the following:

Business
Very Large Business (20,000 + employees)
Large Business (1,000 to 19,999 employees)
Mid-size Business (500 to 999 employees)
Small Business (1 to 499 employees)

Government
Federal Government
State Government
Local Government
Tribal Government

Education
College/University
School/School District

Non-Profit
Non-profit Organization

How to Apply for a Partner Award

Partners can apply for awards until April 30, 2016. To apply for a 2016 WasteWise partner award, log onto your SMM Data Management System account and fill out and submit a “Partner of the Year” award application form. Once the EPA receives your application for an award, we will begin to evaluate your reported data.

Evaluation Criteria for Partner Awards

The EPA will use the partner's 2014 and 2015 reported data to evaluate 2016 awards. Quantitative results from reported data for waste prevention (WP), recycling (R), and disposal (D) will serve as the key elements for award evaluations. The following weighted criteria will be aggregated and used in evaluating award applications:

Annual Improvement in 2015 (20 percent)

Percent of incremental improvement of waste diversion (waste prevention + recycling) in 2015 vs 2014

Overall Performance in 2015 (40 percent)

Percent that waste diversion plays in the overall management of materials

Waste Prevention Performance in 2015 (40 percent)

Percent that waste prevention plays in overall management of materials

Endorser Awards

Endorser awards recognize outstanding efforts to promote WasteWise as a means to help organizations reduce waste and promote overall sustainable materials management. An "Endorser of the Year" award will be given. Depending on the number of award applications, an Honorable Mention award may also be given. Endorsers are asked to submit a narrative of up to five pages describing their endorser activities during calendar year 2015 and fill out and submit an on-line award application.

How to Apply for an Endorser Award

Endorsers can apply for awards until April 30, 2016. To apply for a 2016 WasteWise Endorser award, log onto your SMM Data Management System account and fill out and submit an Endorser award application. In addition, please e-mail your narrative to wastewisehelp@epa.gov. Only endorsers that submit 2015 annual data and 2016 annual goals through the SMM Data Management System will be considered eligible for a 2016 Endorser award. Narrative applications must be five pages or less. (Note: Narrative applications greater than five pages will not be considered.) You will receive a confirmation e-mail once your application materials have been received.)

Evaluation Criteria for Endorser Awards

The EPA will use the endorser’s 2015 reported data and the submitted narrative as evaluation criteria for awards. WasteWise will evaluate endorser award applications based on a weighted average of the following criteria:

Promotional Activities (50 percent)

Scope of activities – describe the range of activities conducted in 2015 by your organization to promote WasteWise, including information on the creativity and effectiveness of promotional methods
Frequency of efforts – describe efforts conducted in 2015 to promote WasteWise

Promotional Results (50 percent)

Quantify the type and number of WasteWise prospective partners that resulted from your promotional efforts in 2015
Quantify the number of new partners who joined WasteWise as a result of your promotional efforts in 2015
Quantify the number of new or existing WasteWise partners that you assisted with tracking and/or reporting in 2015

If you would like additional information about the 2016 WasteWise awards, please email the WasteWise Helpline or call 800-EPA-WISE (372-9473).