SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) has been recognized with four National Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The department's leadership in resource recovery, sustainable waste management, environmental education, and operational safety is honored with these accolades.

The first program to win the honour was OCWR’s EcoChallenge program, run in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education. The program engages K–12 students and their families in environmental education.

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The mattress and metal recycling program was recognized for its critical role in preserving landfill capacity and supporting the circular economy. So far, the program has diverted more than 112,000 mattresses and 9,000 tons of metal, thus generating over $1.18 million in revenue.

The four drive-up Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers (HHWCCs) offer free, hands-free disposal for items like paint, batteries, and e-waste. Collectively, these centers have gathered nearly 8 million pounds of waste in 2024.

Another innovative program to receive the award was the Spotter Safety Training program, developed by the Employee-Driven Safety Committee. The program has been instrumental in reducing risk and enhancing communication in high-traffic landfill zones.