First recognition in 2023
Race to Zero Waste began formally recognizing zero waste efforts in 2023.
We first printed certificates called the "Zero Waste Awards," and later developed the Sustainability in Action Awards.
In 2023, as part of the Zero Waste Fest celebrations, Race to Zero Waste conferred the Zero Waste Award to Simple for expanding refill options in San Francisco.
Meaningful contributions in 2024
At the inaugural Zero Waste Forum in 2024, Race to Zero Waste conferred two awards. One to the Native American Fiber Program (NAFP), which was accepted by NAFP CEO Fred Briones, and the other to the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA), which was accepted by ZWIA President Rick Anthony. Both of these worthy organizations are moving the needle on zero waste, from promoting natural materials and traditional knowledge to developing globally-applicable zero waste standards.
Committee decision-making in 2025
The following year, Race to Zero Waste developed a steering committee with Board members to help define the awards further. The Awards Committee took the tagline from our logo, "Sustainability in Action," and named the awards for the type of work we wanted to recognize: those who were showing initiative and making change for a waste-free world. They also defined the three categories for the Awards.
Categories for the 2025 Sustainability in Action Awards:
- Emerging Leader Award (15-27 years old): For an individual who has been a beacon for zero waste, environmental justice, and sustainable materials management in their community. They are not required to hold a position in a field, but should have made an impact on people, places, or groups through advocacy, education, passion, or action.
- Advocacy Award: For an individual or group that has a primary purpose to educate its community around waste reduction, environmental justice, zero waste practices, and has a proven impact.
- Regenerative Community Award: For communities that go beyond sustainability to actively improve the systems they interact with. These communities prioritize the health of the planet, the prosperity of people, and the vitality of place.
Race to Zero Waste was pleased to receive a number of impressive nominations, and conferred eight awards in the three categories! The 2025 awards were engraved on bamboo plaques.
The 2025 awardees were:
Advocacy Awards: Deepa Lama for her work with Kalpavaatika Society Nepal to provide education on composting and rooftop farming, and Jessica Namath of Palm Beach Clean Air for advocating for alternatives to incineration.
Emerging Leader Awards:
- Anagha Iyer, Broward Sierra Group - Junior Team, for her outspoken advocacy for the climate.
- Lael Kylin Judson, Rural Roots Louisiana, for her advocacy and education to her community and beyond on environmental inequity.
- Amanda Di Perna, Debris Free Oceans, for her co-leadership of Zero Waste Miami and work on community cleanups.
- Allie Donohue, Maria Carrillo High School, for creating and leading her high school's Trash Club, promoting waste management skills.
- Michael Karapetian, EARTHDAY.ORG, for his leadership of the Great Global Cleanup.
2025 Regenerative Community Award: Lisa Clarke, Sustainable Marin Schools, for her initiative to transform public schools' sustainability efforts.
A new award category in 2026
In 2026, Race to Zero Waste added a category to commemorate one of our volunteers who passed away unexpectedly: The Richard 'Dickie' Haskell Outstanding Volunteer Award. This award recognizes an individual that volunteers their time to an environmental non-profit or K-12 school by educating others on recycling, zero waste, clean-ups, reuse, or other waste reduction measures. Dickie Haskell was an educator and volunteer with Race to Zero Waste and other environmental organizations. His passion for volunteering lives on through this award.
Race to Zero Waste was pleased to work with TechWears to develop the 2026 plaques.
The 2026 awardees were:
- Advocacy Award: Pål Mårtensson, World Cleanup Day and ZWIA, for his lifetime of work promoting zero waste principles.
- Emerging Leader Award: Samantha Ferrara for her efforts to divert usable clothing from landfill.
- Regenerative Community Award: Kelli Hess for the community sustainability center Home ReSource.
- Richard ‘Dickie’ Haskell Outstanding Volunteer Award: Dr. Samantha Romanick for her volunteer work with Save Our Sodus.
The next nominations will open by February 2027. Watch R20W social media channels for news! @racetozerowaste
