Award and/or Recognition Programs

The following award and recognition programs serve to facilitate business environmental stewardship and to recognize successful programs. Depending on the program, eligibility may also include agencies, local government, and the public.

• Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP)—Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP)— WRAP provides an opportunity for California businesses and nonprofit organizations to gain public recognition for their outstanding waste reduction efforts and lets the community know the business takes waste reduction seriously. WRAP evaluates the waste reduction, procurement, and education activities in the internal business practices of the applicant, not in the services or products it may provide. CalRecycle will not be releasing a 2012 WRAP application as a result of the new Mandatory Commercial Recycling Regulation adopted in 2012. CalRecycle is currently evaluating the need for a business waste reduction award program. In the meantime, you can search past winners to read about specific programs and can get more examples of successful waste reduction techniques.
• CoolCalifornia Small Business Award Program—CoolCalifornia.org and the California Air Resources Board (ARB) recognize California small businesses taking action to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; promote climate friendly practices; and integrate the use of CoolCalifornia.org into their business operations. Check the CoolCalifornia.org Small Business Toolkit for guidance and resources on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.
• Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards (GEELA)—The Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Program is California’s highest environmental honor. The program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the State’s economy.
• California Environmental Protection Agency Awards—The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) and its boards, departments, and offices recognize agencies, local governments, small businesses, and individuals for their outstanding achievements in environmental protection.
• President's Environmental Youth Awards—The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation’s natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. One outstanding project from each region is selected for national recognition. Projects are developed by young individuals, school classes (K-12), summer camps, and youth organizations to promote environmental stewardship. Thousands of young people from all 50 states and the U.S. territories have submitted projects to EPA for consideration. Winning projects in the past have covered a wide range of subject areas, including:
  
  • environmental science projects;
  • recycling programs in schools and communities;
  • construction of nature preserves;
  • major tree planting programs; and
  • videos, skits, and newsletters that focused on environmental issues.
• US EPA Region 9 Environmental Awards —Each year U.S. EPA's Pacific Southwest office encourages citizens in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands to nominate individuals or organizations for Environmental Awards. This program offers a great opportunity for us to recognize individuals and groups outside of EPA who are working to protect public health and the environment. Awards can be given to anyone, such as scientists, teachers, journalists, citizen activists, young people, organizations, business representatives, public officials, and others committed to protecting public health and preserving our natural surroundings.
• USEPA WasteWise—WasteWise is a free, voluntary EPA program through which organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste and select industrial wastes, benefiting their bottom line and the environment. WasteWise helps its partners meet goals to reduce and recycle municipal solid waste and selected industrial wastes. Benefits of participating include:
  • Free technical assistance;
  • Access to web-based data management tracking tool (WasteWise Re-TRAC);
  • Opportunity to receive WasteWise Awards that recognize outstanding achievements;
  • Public recognition in WasteWise publications, case studies, and meetings;
  • Annual Climate Profile (PDF, 2.1 MB) describing greenhouse gas reduction;
  • Reduced purchasing and waste disposal costs; and
  • Outreach and educational materials.