2009 RECYCLING “GRAMMYS”
for EXCELLENCE in
WASTE REDUCTION,
RECYCLING & LITTER
Call for Award Nominations -- Deadline March 13, 2009
The Virginia Recycling Association (VRA) recognizes the best programs in waste reduction,
recycling and litter as well as individuals in the state at our annual conference awards ceremony.
We invite you to submit entries for recognition. Nominate your program or someone else’s for
this year’s Grammys-inspired rocking recycling awards competition.
My Recycling Grammy Moment!
The process begins with VRA members and recycling professionals submitting entries, which are then
screened and for eligibility and category placement. You do not need to be a member to nominate a
program.
Awards will be presented during the VRA Conference (May 5 and 6) at the Kirkley Hotel in
Lynchburg, VA. Winners will be notified the first week of April. The conference draws state and
national business leaders, industry experts, government officials and individuals committed to source
reduction, reuse, recycling, litter prevention and buying recycled products. Recycling Grammy winners
will also be profiled in an edition of VRA eNews, the VRA’s member newsletter, following the
conference.
Submission
Please fill out the form attached and submit it with a brief description by March 13, 2009. There is no
limit on the number of programs or individuals you may nominate, but a program or individual can be
entered only once. Awards will be given based on calendar years 2007 and 2008. A panel of judges
will evaluate entries and place in appropriate categories. All VRA members signed up on the member
listserv will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite Recycling Grammy nominee!
Screening
In selecting eligible nominees, the judges will consider:
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Virginia-based individuals, businesses, or recycling, litter or waste reduction programs and projects
Significant waste and toxicity reduction, recycling and diversion from disposal, litter prevention
Program applicability to other communities, organizations, schools, or businesses recycling programs
Public outreach and participation in recycling, litter or waste reduction programs
Amount and type of materials collected, processed, manufactured or purchased
Economics of the program, such as costs, benefits, local economic development and benefits to
recycled-content product markets
Innovation and unique aspects of the recycling, litter or waste reduction programs
Length of time recycling, litter or waste reduction programs has been in operation
Coverage and longevity of recycling, litter or waste reduction programs
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Documented effect on recycling and the waste management hierarchy
Recycling Grammy Award Categories
RECYCLING ROCKER OF THE YEAR
Honors an individual in the public or private sector who has “rocked out” significant contributions to the advancement of
integrated solid waste reduction.
Selection Criteria:
 Professional leadership
 Sharing career experience with others
 Development of self-sustaining waste reduction programs
 Effective education programming
 Innovative approaches
 Comprehensive publicity/education
 Buy-recycled component, if applicable
OUTSTANDING NEW AGE COLLEGE RECYCLING PERFORMANCE
Honors an outstanding college or university program that promotes sustainable resources emphasizing spiritual
environmental consciousness through waste reduction, reuse and recycling on a college campus.
Selection Criteria:
 Integrated waste reduction, reuse or recycling program
 Innovative aspects of program
 Education component
 Volunteer contribution to the university
 Recruitment and retention of volunteers over time
 Buy-recycled component, if applicable
 Program must have been in operation for at least one year
OUTSTANDING COUNTRY JAZZY COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL RECYCLING PERFORMANCE
Recognizes a program whose recycling, composting and waste reduction efforts are administered by a county (country) or
municipal (jazz) government.
Selection Criteria:
 Integrated waste reduction program (including source reduction, recycling, reuse composting, etc.)
 Innovative aspects of program
 Comprehensive publicity/education targeting residential and/or commercial sources
 Types and scope of materials collected for recycling
 Innovative materials marketing technique
 Percent of municipal solid waste stream recycled and/or per capita waste reduction
 Buy-recycled component
 Program must have been in operation for one year
OUTSTANDING R&B BUSINESS/INDUSTRY RECYCLING PERFORMANCE
Honors a commercial business or industry that has successfully implemented waste management programs with rhythm and
overcome the blues by incorporating reduction, reuse, recycling and buying recycled. Zero waste efforts will receive
additional attention.
Selection Criteria:
 Integrated waste management program (including reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, etc.)
 Ongoing employee education program with incentives for waste reduction efforts
 Administration policy that demonstrates a commitment to waste reduction, reuse and recycling
 Broad range of materials managed or recycled, with records kept on quantities
 Waste-conscious procurement policies for materials and supplies
 Provision of information and technical assistance with waste management to other businesses
 Program must have been in operation for at least one year
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OUTSTANDING W.R.A.P. GROUP (GOVERNMENT AGENCY, INSTITUTION, or NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION)
Recognizes a state or federal government agency, institution or non-profit organization that has developed and
implemented a sustainable Waste Reduction And Prevention program to include reuse, recycling and buying recycled
products.
Selection Criteria:
 Integrated waste management program (including reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, etc.)
 Ongoing employee education program with incentives for waste reduction efforts
 Administration policy that demonstrates commitment to waste reduction, reuse and recycling
 Broad range of materials managed or recycled, with records kept to quantities
 Waste conscious procurement policies for materials and supplies
 Sharing of information and technical assistance with peers
 Innovative and creative components to program
 Program must have been in operation for at least one year
OUTSTANDING CLASSICAL COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER PERFORMANCE
Awards a volunteer program that shows graceful initiative and traditional commitment to the community, waste reduction,
reuse, recycling and the environment.
Selection Criteria:
 Volunteer contribution to the community
 Public education component
 Recruitment and retention of volunteers over time
 Program must have been in operation for at least one year
BEST GREENBUILDER PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Honors a leader in the construction industry who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of
environmentally responsible/ sustainable building practices, such as students, professionals, engineers, builders, architects,
contractors, teachers, policy advocates, government officials or programs, software developers, etc.
Selection Criteria:
 Professional leadership
 Commitment to environmentally responsible/sustainable building practices
 Development or implementation of specific building projects which reflect environmentally responsible, sustainable
building practices
 Sharing knowledge with others
OUTSTANDING MEDIA PERFORMER
Awards a member of the media (broadcast, print, etc.) whose fair and accurate reporting and consistent attention to
environmental issues supports Virginia’s recycling industry and local programs. Two samples of nominee’s work (if
television or radio, include written transcript) are required.
SPOTLIGHT AWARDS
Recognizes one-time projects, programs, or events that illustrate effective creative and/or innovative program efforts.
Examples of appropriate entries include a calendar designed by school children, a logo designed to identify a program or
special event, an educational brochure addressing a disposal or pollution issue, etc. Submit samples of the entry, along with
photographs, and an explanation of how it was created/implemented.
OUTSTANDING LITTER PERFORMANCE
Recognizes litter prevention activities to change attitudes and behaviors in your community. Activities can include, but are
not limited to: Great American Cleanup™ activities, Community Presentations, Litter-free Events, Adopt-ASpot/Block/Street/etc., Clean Builder/Business/Campus, Receptacle Drives, Litter Report Cards, or Litter Hotlines.
DEADLINE: March 13, 2009
Emails must be received by 5:00 PM March 13, 2009. Mailed copies must be received by March 13, 2009. For
questions regarding the awards program, please call the Award’s Chair, Mayi Henriquez at (757) 269-2871.
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2009 Awards Nomination Form
Award Category________________________________
Program, Organization, or Individual Nominated
Name of Program, Organization or Individual ___________________________________________
Contact Person/Title _______________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________________ State ______________ Zip ____________
Telephone ___________________ Fax ___________________ Email ______________________
Nominating Organization/Individual
Contact Person/Title _______________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________________ State ______________ Zip ____________
Telephone ___________________ Fax ___________________ Email _______________________
Attach a statement justifying your nomination that includes: Start date of program, significant accomplishments,
unique or innovative aspects, fiscal or economic impact, evidence of continuity and/or sustainability, and
benefits to the recycling community. Also, provide appropriate information for the selection criteria outlined for
the award category. The nomination should be no more than two pages, double-sided, single-spaced, and with
font size no smaller than 12pt.
Each entry must include:
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SIX copies of the nomination form and written statement
(double-sided) mailed (or ONE copy emailed) to the addresses to
the right.
SIX copies of any optional supporting materials that will assist
the judges in evaluating your application should be mailed. DO
NOT SEND BULKY ITEMS, SUCH AS VIDEOS OR
MANUALS. Instead, list them and the Awards Committee will
contact you if additional information is needed.
Additional Instructions:
Each program can be entered in ONE category only; but you may submit
for consideration as many different programs as like. Incomplete
applications will not be considered, so be sure to answer all questions and
provide information for all criteria. Faxes cannot be accepted.
Applications must be received by March 13, 2009. Materials will not
be returned. Judges deserve the right to change a nomination category
only if beneficial to the nominee.
DEADLINE
March 13, 2009
EMAIL nominations to:
vra@vrarecycles.org
MAIL nominations to:
VRA Awards
Mayi C. Henriquez
Recycling Coordinator
City of Newport News
Department of Public Works
513 Oyster Point Road
Newport News, VA 23602
Emails must be received by 5:00
PM March 13, 2009. Mailed copies
must be received by March 13,
2009. For questions regarding the
awards program, please call the
Award’s Chair, Mayi Henriquez at
(757) 269-2871.
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