This Innovative Sustainable Product and Packaging Design Award recognizes product and packaging design improvements that deliver better environmental performance and circularity in real-world systems. It spotlights practical, scalable solutions that improve compatibility with collection, sorting, and reprocessing while maintaining product function and user experience. Submissions should demonstrate credible implementation and measurable results, or a clear pathway to them. Eligible initiatives can include changes to materials, chemistry, formats, components, labels/inks/adhesives and durability.

Content Requirements

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 design change and what differs from the previous design or common market practice (e.g., materials/chemistry choices, components, labels/inks/adhesives where relevant, colour, lids/caps, accessories).
• Explain how the design improves environmental outcomes, circularity and/or system performance in real-world recovery pathways (collection, sorting, reprocessing) and why those choices were made.
• Describe how compatibility was assessed or validated (testing, pilots, third-party assessment, recycler/MRF input, PRO/system operator review).
• Summarize results to date using appropriate indicators (e.g., improved circularity outcomes, reduced contamination/rejects, improved material quality/yield, improved consumer understanding), where available.
• Explain implementation and scale (partners, resources/timeline, governance, replication potential) and how it supports broader circularity goals.
• Any other elements 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 retailers and brand owners

This Recycled Content Adoption Award recognizes initiatives that have credibly increased the use of recycled content in packaging and/or products while maintaining performance, quality, and compliance. It is intended to highlight disciplined, execution-focused approaches that address the real challenges associated with recycled content adoption, including supply availability, quality variability, cost, regulatory requirements, and performance expectations.  The award emphasizes a level of scale and practical implementation, recognizing initiatives that move beyond pilots and demonstrate replicable pathways for integrating recycled materials into core product or packaging portfolios.

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 what was implemented: where recycled content was added (material + format), and the scope (SKUs/categories/markets).
• Explain how recycled materials were qualified and validated to meet performance, quality, and regulatory requirements (testing, specs, supplier controls).
• Demonstrate results to date with metrics (PCR %, volume/tonnes, # SKUs converted, categories impacted, performance/quality outcomes).
• Describe how integrity was ensured (claims governance, data traceability, documentation, approvals) and how performance/compliance is monitored over time.
• Explain how the initiative was delivered and scaled (key partners and internal teams, timeline/resources, risk mitigation) and how it can potentially be replicated across additional formats, categories, or markets.
• Explain how the change supports broader packaging/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 retailers and brand owners

The Reuse, Refill and Take-Back Program Award recognizes customer-facing reuse, refill, and take-back programs that are thoughtfully designed, operationally viable, and capable of delivering real environmental benefits. Eligible initiatives may include pilots or scaling programs, provided they demonstrate credible participation, responsible downstream handling, and clear potential for broader adoption.  The award emphasizes programs that balance customer experience, operational feasibility, and environmental outcomes, and that contribute meaningfully to waste prevention and circular economy objectives.

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 program model and what makes it distinct, including the reuse/refill/take-back mechanics and how customers participate.
• Explain the end-to-end customer experience, including incentives, education, and how participation is made easy and intuitive.
• Demonstrate results to date using credible indicators (participation rates, units or volumes collected, reuse cycles achieved, diversion outcomes, where available).
• Describe how materials or products are managed downstream to ensure responsible handling, environmental benefit, and system integrity.
• Explain how the program was delivered and refined (partners, resources, timeline, learnings) and how it can scale or be replicated across additional locations, categories, or markets.
• Explain how the change supports 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 retailers and brand owners

The Back-of-Store Circularity and Operational Waste Diversion or Reduction Award recognizes excellence in back-of-store circularity and operational waste reduction across retail stores, distribution centres, and back-of-house operations. It highlights initiatives that prioritize the waste hierarchy, including waste prevention, reuse and recycling, and that demonstrate operational rigor, disciplined measurement, and innovation in managing complex or traditionally hard-to-recycle waste streams.

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 what was implemented across stores/DCs/back-of-house operations and which waste streams were targeted, including any hard-to-recycle materials.
• Explain how the initiative drove waste prevention (avoidance) and reuse, and how recycling/diversion performance was improved (including contamination reduction where relevant).
• Demonstrate results to date using clear metrics (e.g., tonnes avoided/diverted, diversion rate, contamination rate, waste per store, cost savings, % of locations covered).
• Describe how consistent execution was achieved (standard procedures, training, signage, vendor requirements, collection logistics, audits/quality controls), including any new operational model, technology, or contracting approach.
• Explain how performance is monitored and improved over time (measurement method, governance/accountability, learnings) and how the approach can be replicated across more sites or waste streams.
• Explain how the change supports 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 retailers

The Data, Transparency and Traceability Innovation Award recognizes initiatives that materially improve transparency, traceability, and decision-grade data across the value chain or for consumers, enabling better sustainability outcomes. It highlights efforts that move beyond reporting for its own sake and demonstrate how improved data quality, governance, and accessibility drive real operational or environmental improvements.

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 what was implemented to improve transparency/traceability (tools, systems, identifiers/standards used, and what data is captured).
• Explain how the data is governed and used in practice (ownership, access, controls, and how it fits into day-to-day processes).
• Describe how data accuracy and integrity are ensured (validation, checks, verification, where applicable)
• Explain how the initiative supports broader sustainability and compliance strategies (e.g., EPR, recycled content, deforestation, Scope 3, packaging claims, reporting requirements).
• Demonstrate outcomes and results to date, including how stakeholders actually use the data and how insights are translated into action (better decisions, performance improvements, reduced risk/errors, measurable environmental/operational gains).
• 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 retailers and brand owners

The Energy and Facilities Decarbonization Impact Award recognizes initiatives that deliver measurable greenhouse gas emissions reductions from stores, facilities, and operations through energy efficiency, controls, refrigeration improvements, and/or renewable energy integration. It emphasizes practical, scalable solutions with durable results. Eligible initiatives should demonstrate strong operational execution and tangible impact, achieving emissions reductions without compromising reliability, comfort, food safety, or customer experience.

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 what was implemented and where (stores, DCs, offices; key systems such as HVAC, controls, refrigeration, lighting, renewables).
• Explain how projects were selected and rolled out (prioritization approach, sequencing, deployment model across sites).
• Demonstrate results and progress to date (emissions and energy impacts, key performance improvements, progress against internal targets where applicable).
• Describe operational delivery and durability (reliability, comfort, food safety, maintenance implications, and how results are sustained over time).
• Explain how the work was executed and governed (teams/partners, investment and timeline, business case considerations, and how performance is tracked).
• Explain how these efforts support broader decarbonization 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 retailers and brand owners

The Low-Carbon Logistics and Fleet Transition Award recognizes initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across logistics, distribution, and fleet operations through practical changes such as fleet transition (light-, medium-, or heavy-duty), route and network optimization, modal shifts, improved load factors and backhauls, and enabling infrastructure (charging, fueling, depot upgrades, energy management). It highlights programs that are operationally viable, maintaining safety, service levels, and cost discipline, while demonstrating clear, real-world emissions and efficiency improvements that can be sustained and expanded over time.

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 what was implemented and where (fleet scope, lanes/routes, facilities, network changes, infrastructure enabled).
• Explain how the approach was selected and executed (business case, feasibility constraints, operational design, timeline/rollout).
• Demonstrate results to date with credible metrics (fuel/energy use, emissions reductions, efficiency gains, cost per km/stop, utilization, on-time performance where relevant).
• Describe operational impacts and trade-offs (service levels, reliability, safety, driver experience, maintenance, uptime, customer outcomes).
• Explain delivery and governance (internal teams and partners, investments, performance tracking, learnings and refinements, and readiness to expand within the network).
• Explain how these efforts support broader decarbonization 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 retailers and brand owners

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

The Supply Chain Impact Award recognizes value-chain initiatives that deliver tangible sustainability outcomes beyond direct operations, particularly through supplier engagement, responsible sourcing, and Scope 3 emissions reduction. It highlights programs that move from intent to execution, embedding sustainability expectations into procurement and supplier relationships, improving data quality and accountability, and driving action at across complex supply chains.

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 what was implemented across the supply chain (supplier programs, sourcing requirements, standards, incentives, or interventions) and the scope covered.
• Explain how suppliers were engaged and enabled (requirements, collaboration models, tools, capacity-building, incentives, or performance expectations).
• Demonstrate outcomes achieved to date using credible indicators (Scope 3 emissions reductions, sourcing improvements, supplier participation, category or spend coverage, verified performance gains).
• Describe how data quality and accountability were ensured (how impacts were measured, verified where needed, and governed).
• Explain how outcomes are embedded and sustained (alignment with procurement strategy, internal ownership, timelines/resources, and how the approach can expand across suppliers, categories, or regions).
• 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 retailers and brand owners

The Community Impact Award recognizes community-facing initiatives that deliver clear environmental benefits beyond an organization’s core customer programs. It highlights efforts that strengthen local outcomes through practical support such as community infrastructure, education and skills-building, reuse and repair, recovery initiatives, and resilience measures, while demonstrating credible results in areas like emissions reduction, waste prevention and diversion, and improved community capacity. Strong entries show thoughtful co-design with communities, effective partnerships, and programs that are built to last.

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 what was delivered in the community and how it worked (program model, location(s), who it served, and what changed on the ground).
• Explain partnerships and governance (community organizations, municipalities, schools/NGOs, Indigenous partners where relevant, roles and accountability).
• Demonstrate environmental results to date with practical metrics (waste avoided/diverted, materials recovered, reuse/repair volumes, emissions impacts where relevant, participation and reach).
• Describe community engagement and education (how people were reached, barriers addressed, accessibility and inclusion, behavior change supports).
• Explain how success was evaluated and sustained (resources and timeline, feedback loops, improvements made, durability over time, and readiness to expand if applicable).
• 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 retailers and brand owners