Retail Sustainability Excellence Awards FAQs

The program is open to organizations operating in North America. Global programs may apply where they can demonstrate meaningful North American implementation and results, or a defined North American rollout with early outcomes.

The program is open to retailers, brand owners, and PROs/system operators:

• Retailers:  grocery, pharmacy, general merchandise, specialty, apparel and footwear, electronics, home improvement, QSRs, and e-commerce and omnichannel retailers, among others.
• Brand owners: the organization that owns the product brand and controls product and/or packaging specifications and related sustainability claims. This covers national brands and retailer-owned private label brands, regardless of whether products are sold through third-party retailers, wholesale, or the brand’s own channels.
• PROs and system operators: organizations responsible for operating or administering an EPR or stewardship program on behalf of obligated producers.

Yes. Entries may include implementation partners — such as manufacturers, packaging suppliers, logistics providers, recyclers, NGOs, and technology vendors. Partners may be recognized as part of the entry but may not submit independently unless explicitly stated in the category guidelines.

Submissions must be supported by clear, substantiated evidence. For shortlisted entries, RCC may request additional documentation, including third-party validation where relevant. Submissions where material claims cannot be substantiated are subject to disqualification.

Submissions are scored by an independent judging panel against three criteria: demonstrated or expected impact, credibility of evidence, and scalability. Judges are retail and sustainability professionals with direct industry experience.

Each category will have one winner unless otherwise noted. Where entries are materially different in nature — for example, retailer-led versus brand-led initiatives — RCC may award up to two winners in a category, based on submission volume and quality.

RCC reserves the right to withhold an award in any category if submissions do not meet the required standard. Awards are granted on the basis of quality, not just participation.