Newsroom_News Release_2026-11-13 DNR Celebrates Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Award Winners Ahead Of America Recycles Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2026-11-13

Contact: Jennifer Semrau, DNR Waste Reduction and Diversion Coordinator
Jennifer.Semrau@wisconsin.gov or 608-381-0960

DNR Celebrates Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Award Winners Ahead Of America Recycles Day

a group of people from the Attic Angel Prairie Point Green Committee standing in a lawn behind a composting bucket holding recyclables. The Attic Angel Prairie Point Green Committee won a 2026 Recycling Excellence Award for the Overall Program category. Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – 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

View their full profiles and learn about each winner’s recycling efforts on the DNR's Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Awards webpage.

For more information on recycling in Wisconsin, visit the DNR’s What to Recycle in Wisconsin webpage.