A call for nomination is sent out at the end of the year to seek nominations to highlight the amazing work of individuals, schools, and organizations that advance waste reduction efforts, resource recovery, and recycling in Wisconsin. Nominate someone deserving! Check back in Decembers when we will announce the Call for Nominations. 

Questions? Contact Amanda Haffele at Portage County Solid Waste Department or email AROW. 

2026 awardees 

Click Here for Award Recipients - 1995 to Present

The prestigious Christy Dixon Recycler of the Year Award was awarded to Sarah Murray of the WI Dept of Natural Resources. This recognition is given to an individual whose career demonstrates the highest professional standards. Sarah has made a career of recycling.

Sarah Murray has a 20-year career in waste diversion. She started with the DNR as an LTE in January 2006, working on the “Recycling Means Business” publication. That short-term project turned into a series of LTE positions in the WA and Air programs, focusing on outreach, policy development and implementing online reporting for recycling. Upon the passing of teh E-cycle Wisconsin Law, Sarah served as the program coordinator. Under her leadership, E-cycle Wisconsin recycled nearly 420 million pounds of electronics from households and schools, keeping this material out of the landfill and recovering valuable materials. Colleague, Jennifer Semrau writes, "Wisconsin’s electronics recycling program would not be as successful as it is today without Sarah Murray."

Photo: Sarah Murray

The Tri-County Partnership is a collaboration between Brown, Outagamie, and Winnebago County for achieving outstanding education and outreach for waste reduction, recycling, and waste diversion. Fashioned after Master Gardner or Master Composter programs, the Tri-County created a curriculum for individuals seeking to become non-professional recycling experts. Students participate in 101, 201 and 301 courses covering recycling basics, beyond the bin and recycling in context topics with 401 requiring volunteer hours from participants to "graduate."

Kelly wrote a book titled The ABCs of Recycling, which assigns a recyclable material or topic with each letter of the alphabet. Designed for third-grade students, the book has been disseminated throughout Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago counties, providing a fun, educational resource for teachers and their students.

Photo: Kelly Reyer

Christy Dixon Recycler of the Year

An individual whose career demonstrates the highest professional standards in the recycling field (includes reuse and composting).

• Applicant may be from the public, private, or nonprofit sector.
• If a person has already received this award, they are not eligible to receive the award a second time.

Outstanding Achievement in Education

An individual or group that has excelled in environmental education, specifically related to solid waste and recycling.

• Applicant may be from the public, private, or nonprofit sector.

Outstanding Achievement in Waste Reduction & Recycling

An individual or group that has excelled with waste reduction and recycling within their program.

• Applicant may be from the public, private, or nonprofit sector.