OC Waste & Recycling wins 4 national awards

Orange County Waste & Recycling (OCWR) has received four National Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), Washington, the company announces. The awards recognize the department’s leadership in environmental education, resource recovery, sustainable waste management and operational safety.

RELATED: Rigid regulatory requirements and high diversion goals in California drive continual improvement at Orange County Waste & Recycling’s landfills and organics facilities

The following programs were honored for their innovation and community impact:

EcoChallenge

In partnership with the Orange County Department of Education, OCWR’s EcoChallenge program engages K–12 students and their families in environmental education aligned with California’s Senate Bill 1383 waste diversion goals. With hands-on lessons, family resources and record-breaking participation in 2024, EcoChallenge builds lifelong environmental stewardship through fun, standards-based learning, the department says.

Mattress and Metal Recycling Program

OCWR’s landfills offer free, easy access for mattress and metal recycling, helping preserve landfill capacity and support the circular economy, the department says. By streamlining operations and increasing public engagement, the program has diverted more than 112,000 mattresses and 9,000 tons of metal, generating over $1.18 million in revenue.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers

Four drive-up Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers across the county provide free, hands-free disposal for items like paint, batteries and e-waste. With more than 155,000 vehicles served and nearly 8 million pounds of waste collected in 2024, these centers protect public health, prevent environmental harm and promote reuse through the popular materials exchange program, the department says.

Landfill Spotter Safety Training

OCWR launched a Spotter Safety Training program to reduce risk and enhance communication in high-traffic landfill zones. Developed by the employee-driven safety committee using the Kaizen model, the program introduced standardized hand signals, mentorship for new spotters and improved safety outcomes—setting a new benchmark for the industry.

“These awards reflect the commitment of the OCWR team for continuous improvement, with the goal of driving real progress and community benefit,” OC Waste & Recycling Director Tom Koutroulis. “From protecting public health to building the next generation of environmental stewards, we are proud to deliver programs that support a more sustainable future.”

OCWR’s recognition is part of NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program, which honors innovative and effective county government initiatives across the nation in 18 categories, including sustainability, health, civic engagement and public safety. The County of Orange brought home a total of 25 Achievement Awards from NACo.