Safety Innovation Award
Established by the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) and the Recycling Education and Research Foundation (RERF), the Safety Innovation Award honors companies developing practical, effective and accessible solutions that protect workers in the recycled materials industry.
Whether you’ve improved employee training, redesigned equipment or introduced a safer process, your approach could help others protect their workers. The Safety Innovation Award recognizes practical innovations that demonstrate safety impact and encourages companies to share what they’ve learned across the recycled materials industry.
Applications close
December 18, 2026.
Eligibility & Criteria
ReMA member companies in good standing are eligible to apply. Each company should identify the employees who helped develop or implement its innovation. The company will be recognized as the official award recipient.
ReMA chapters and qualifying regional initiatives may also submit programs implemented across multiple member companies. For chapter-led initiatives, the chapter will be recognized as the recipient, with participating companies identified.
Eligible solutions may include
Video-based, mobile, multilingual or interactive approaches to training and communication that improve safety understanding and engagement.
Tracking systems or tools that help verify employee comprehension, training completion or compliance.
Policies and processes that improve safety or reduce workplace risks.
Equipment redesigns, safety retrofits, real-time hazard detection systems and other engineering improvements.
Chapter-wide initiatives that strengthen safety practices or training across member companies.
Formal data is welcome but not required. Evidence may include reduced incidents, improved training results, employee feedback or documented observations.
Award Criteria
Based on the following criteria, applications are evaluated by a judging panel comprising the RERF Chair, the ReMA Education & Training Committee Chair, a representative from ReMA’s Safety Team and the Safe Operations Committee Chair:
Resourceful innovation through creative training methods, technology, equipment redesign or new approaches to workplace safety challenges;
Relevance and accessibility to workers through solutions that address barriers such as language, literacy, time constraints or technology access;
Demonstrated safety impact through formal or informal evidence, including reduced incidents, improved training outcomes, stronger compliance or employee feedback;
Employee engagement through multilingual, visual, interactive or other accessible approaches that reach workers across different roles and learning needs;
Value to the broader industry through practical solutions other companies or chapters can adapt and adopt, including those with limited budgets or technology; and
Clear presentation of the innovation and its results, supported by relevant materials or examples.
Programs developed by a ReMA chapter or regional group to serve multiple member companies may receive additional consideration.
An award may not be presented if submissions do not meet the program’s standards or too few applications are received.
Award Recognition
The recipient will be announced and recognized at the 2027 ReMA Show in Nashville, TN.
Recognition includes:
A professionally produced video showcasing the winning innovation and its safety impact, with full rights for the recipient company to use the video;
Presentation of the video at the ReMA Show;
ReMA Show travel, registration and hotel accommodations for two company representatives; and
Additional visibility through ReMA and RERF websites, social media and member communications.
