The PRO Excellence: Most Improved Recycling Performance and Transparency Award recognizes Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) and system operators that deliver clear year-over-year improvements in recycling performance while also raising the bar on transparency. It highlights measurable gains in capture and recovery, contamination reduction, material quality, end-market outcomes, and service consistency, enabled by disciplined system management, education and engagement, and accountable governance. Strong entries also demonstrate reporting that is accessible, comparable over time, and decision-useful for producers, regulators, and the public.
Introduction (100 Words)
Please include the following in your response:
- Name of company
- Name of initiative
- Brief overview of the initiative
Needs and Objectives (300-500 words) – 15%
Please include the following in your response:
- The needs of the initiative
- The stakeholders involved
- The objectives or purpose of the initiative
Program Details & Results (600-1000 words) – 65%
- Describe the key operational changes implemented to improve system performance, and how education supported them (collection, sortation, processing, contamination controls, material quality/end-markets, resident guidance).
- Explain the main levers used to drive change (contracts/incentives, service standards, audits, targeted investments, and education/engagement with residents, municipalities, and stakeholders).
- Demonstrate year-over-year improvement using clear indicators (capture/recovery, contamination/residue, marketed tonnes, bale quality, service performance, cost per tonne).
- Describe transparency and reporting improvements (what changed, comparability over time, methodology clarity, accessibility, and how stakeholders use the data).
- Explain governance and accountability (roles and decision-making, collaboration with producers/municipalities/service providers/regulators, evaluation and continuous improvement).
- Explain how these efforts support broader circularity targets.
- Any other elements that you would like to highlight about the initiative.
Supporting Evidence: 10%
- Supporting visuals, data summaries, dashboards, or documentation
- Brief descriptions explaining what each item demonstrates
- Third-party validation where relevant
*Open to PROs and system operators