Florida Recycling Partnership Names 10 Recycling Champions for 2026

The 2026 awards recognize recycling initiatives led by businesses, local governments and nonprofit organizations across Florida, with recipients scheduled to be honored November 18 in Gainesville.

MONTREAL (RecyclingMonster): The Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation (FRPF) has selected ten organizations as its 2026 Recycling Champions, recognizing initiatives focused on resource recovery, waste reduction and public awareness across Florida.

The recipients represent businesses, local governments, public agencies and nonprofit organizations, highlighting different approaches to improving recycling and materials management throughout the state.

Businesses Recognized for Recycling and Circular Economy Programs

Three companies were selected in the business category for initiatives involving circular economy practices, waste reduction and recycling infrastructure.

• Coca-Cola Beverages Florida: Recognized for its Circular Economy Program and closed-loop recycling initiative.
• Niagara Bottling: Honored for its Zero Waste Program.
• WM: Recognized for investing in recycling infrastructure through a new South Florida facility.

The business awards highlight different approaches to materials management, including packaging recovery, waste reduction programs and investment in recycling facilities.

Florida Public Agencies Honored for Battery Recovery and Recycling Education

Four local government and public-sector organizations were recognized for initiatives involving safe materials management, collection programs, reuse and community education.

• Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management Department: Recognized for its Fire Prevention & Battery Recovery Campaign.
• Seminole County Solid Waste: Honored for its "Recycling Is The Natural Choice" initiative.
• Indian River County: Recognized for its vape collection program.
• North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District: Honored for creative reuse and community education, including the distribution of plant-based fire helmets to children.

The recognized programs address a range of local waste-management priorities, from battery and vape collection to public engagement and reuse.

Goodwill Organizations Recognized for Material Recovery Initiatives

Three nonprofit organizations were selected for recycling and repurposing initiatives involving mattresses, plastic film and partnerships supporting responsible materials management.

The nonprofit honorees are:

• Goodwill Industries of South Florida
• Goodwill Industries-Suncoast
• Goodwill Industries of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast

The recognized initiatives collectively cover mattress recycling, plastic film recovery and responsible recycling and repurposing partnerships.

Florida Recycles Day Awards Ceremony Scheduled for November 18

The ten recipients are scheduled to be honored on November 18, 2026, during Florida Recycles Day at the University of Florida TREEO Center in Gainesville.

The event will recognize initiatives spanning corporate recycling programs, local government collection efforts, public education and nonprofit material recovery activities.