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 Awards recognize sustainability leadership demonstrated during 2025. While multi-year initiatives are encouraged, submissions should emphasize the achievements and measurable impacts realized in 2025.

The submission deadline is July 3, 2026.

Finalists are expected to be announced in August 2026. Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner on October 28, 2026.

No. Applications are open to both RCC members and non-members. RCC and FHCP members receive the member application rate.

Not always. Some categories are open to retailers and brand owners, while others are specific to retailers, PROs or system operators. Please review the eligibility language for the category you are applying under.

Because these Awards are focused on retailer-led sustainability projects and outcomes, non-retailers and non-CPGs (such as suppliers, vendors, technology providers, logistics providers, recyclers, consultants or other service partners) should partner with a retail client on the submission. The retail client should be clearly identified in the application, and the submission should show how the project delivered meaningful outcomes for the retailer, its customers, operations or value chain.

Yes. An application fee applies to each award category submission. If you submit entries in multiple categories, a separate application fee is required for each entry.

The application fee is $324.99 for RCC and FHCP members and $399.99 for non-members, per submission.

The Awards recognize sustainability leadership demonstrated during 2025. While multi-year initiatives are encouraged, submissions should emphasize the achievements and measurable impacts realized in 2025.

Yes. Multi-year initiatives are eligible. However, the submission should clearly explain what was achieved in 2025 and how those results demonstrate progress, impact or improvement.

Yes. There is no limit to the number of entries you can submit. Each entry should be submitted separately and should clearly respond to the criteria for the selected award category.

Yes. Organizations may submit multiple entries in the same category, as long as each submission is for a distinct initiative, program or project.

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.

Yes. Submissions may include implementation partners such as manufacturers, packaging suppliers, logistics providers, service providers, recyclers, NGOs, technology vendors or consultants.

Partners may be recognized as part of the submission, but they should not submit independently unless the category specifically allows it. In most cases, the submission should be in partnership with the retailer, brand owner, PRO or eligible organization connected to the project outcome.

Choose the category that best reflects the main purpose and strongest results of your initiative. For example, if the strongest outcome is waste diversion in stores or distribution centres, the Back-of-Store Circularity category may be the best fit. If the strongest outcome is emissions reduction from facilities, the Energy and Facilities Decarbonization category may be more appropriate.

If you are unsure, review the category descriptions and criteria carefully, or contact events@retailcouncil.org.

Each submission should clearly explain the initiative, why it was needed, who was involved, what was implemented, and what results were achieved. Strong submissions should include clear evidence, practical metrics and measurable outcomes wherever possible.

Depending on the category, this may include data such as emissions reductions, tonnes diverted, recycled content used, number of locations involved, customer participation, supplier participation, recovery rates, cost savings, performance improvements or other relevant indicators.

Submissions should be supported by credible evidence. This may include data summaries, dashboards, photos, case studies, audit results, third-party validation, supplier documentation, operational reports, customer participation data, emissions calculations or other supporting materials.

Yes. Pilots may be eligible if they show credible implementation, clear learnings, measurable results or a strong pathway to scale. The submission should explain what was tested, what was learned, what impact was achieved and how the initiative could be expanded.

No. The program is open to organizations operating in North America. However, submissions should demonstrate meaningful implementation, results or relevance in Canada or North America.

Applicants can register their submission through the awards registration link. After registering and paying the application fee, applicants will receive instructions to complete and submit their entry materials.

No. Awards gala tickets are sold separately.

Your full submission is only accessible to the judges assigned to evaluate the relevant award category, all of whom are required to sign confidentiality agreements. Any information used in finalist announcements, promotional videos, event materials or the Awards Gala booklet is drawn solely from the submission title and the short public description you provide. Additional details, supporting information and confidential business data contained in your application will not be disclosed without your permission.

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.

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.