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DNR CELEBRATES AMERICA RECYCLES DAY
Awards Wisconsin's Top Recyclers

While caring for nearby Brietzke Educational Wetland, teachers and students from the Purdy Elementary School Green Team in Fort Atkinson recycle trash and compost organic materials.
Photo credit: DNRContact(s): Jennifer Semrau, DNR Waste & Materials, Management Program, 608-267-7550 , jennifer.semrau@wisconsin.gov
November 12, 2019
MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is recognizing 10 recycling programs from a mix of businesses, schools, nonprofits and local governments with the 2019 Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Awards.
In honor of America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, the DNR is recognizing four entities for "overall operations of a recycling program," four entities for "special projects and initiatives" and two entities for program "innovation."
"It is exciting to see communities and businesses find new ways to reduce waste and recycle," DNR Waste and Materials Management Program Director Joe Van Rossum said. "We want to promote these efforts and share how we divert materials from landfills in Wisconsin."
The Overall Program Awards recognize efforts that are robust and continually improving while demonstrating a commitment to improving the overall recycling or diversion program.
Projects and Initiatives Awards recognize specific projects that increase materials recycled or diverted through a particular action or project.
The Innovation Award recognizes programs that demonstrate unique and innovative approaches to recycling.
- Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations is a comprehensive electronics recycling company and registered E-Cycle Wisconsin recycler. Dynamic began as a small operation in Onalaska, which now serves as the company's headquarters, but over the past 12 years has grown to include a Tennessee operation. In addition to handling over 200 million pounds of material since opening, Dynamic is receiving an Innovation Award for their work as a participant in the Tennessee Material Marketplace. Between the two locations, they work with companies like porcelain tile producer Florim USA and JM Smucker Company to pick up materials in Tennessee, recycle electronics and refurbish products in Wisconsin, then remarket resources back in Tennessee.
- ERbin, a startup based in Wausau, was founded by CEO Michelle Goetsch and co-founder (and brother) Charles Kijek on the idea that an app could help residents figure out what to recycle. In the past two years, ERbin has developed a phone app that will allow residents to scan barcodes of items in their homes and learn if the materials are locally recyclable. Currently in beta testing in the village of Weston and piloted this summer with an organics collection project in Madison, ERbin strives to provide easily accessible information on how to recycle right.
More information on the Recycling Excellence Awards is available on the DNR website, or by contacting Jennifer Semrau at jennifer.semrau@Wisconsin.gov or 608-267-7550. For more information on recycling in Wisconsin, search keyword "recycling."
Last Revised: Tuesday, November 12, 2019