Global Recycling Foundation recognizes Recycling Heroes

The Global Recycling Foundation (GRF) has announced the winners of its 2026 Recycling Heroes Competition. In addition to 15 winners, the organization has recognized five startups, with all entrants submitting a short video to illustrate how their projects and initiatives demonstrated this year’s theme of “Don’t Think Waste – Think Opportunity.”

GRF says, “We need to recognize the economic value of recycling, helping drive circular economy and sustainable practices.”

Ranjit Baxi, founder of Global Recycling Day, which was March 18, says: “Once again, the entries for the competition have highlighted an outstanding range of innovation and entrepreneurship, reflecting the passion which young people in particular feel about the environment. They realize that waste recycling does indeed present a golden opportunity.”

Baxi adds, “Political leaders should reflect on this desire to preserve the planet and follow the lead to a goal which our future leaders are demanding."

Fifteen winners have been selected to receive $500 each:

1. RecyclesPay - African Clean Up Initiative, Nigeria. RecyclesPay is an eco-friendly educational support initiative designed to prevent school dropouts among children from vulnerable households. Through the program, parents contribute recyclables in exchange for support toward their children’s educational needs, particularly school fees.

2. Spanish Federation of Recovery and Recycling (FER), Spain. FER says it believes the true heroes of the circular economy are the men and women who work daily to transform waste into valuable resources and are committed to protecting our planet for future generations. Its mission is captured in its core philosophy: "Live to recycle, recycle to live" (Vivir para reciclar, reciclar para vivir).

3. The Nautilus Project, Gibraltar. The Great Gibraltar Beach Cleans (TGBC), founded in by The Nautilus Project and inspired by two siblings, Alex and AJ, is a community-driven initiative that has removed more than 11 metric tons of marine litter from the Gibraltar coastline. Led by volunteers, these events engage schools and the community to protect marine ecosystems.

4. Dajopen Waste Management Solutions in Kitale, Kenya. Dajopen composts urban biodegradable material into high-quality organic fertilizer. The initiative provides practical skills and circular economy entrepreneurship pathways, with core programs that deliver measurable environmental and social benefits.

5. Fatema Fruitwala (Green warrior. Earth), United Arab Emirates. Fatema Fruitwala focuses on upcycling textiles and plastic into useful products while promoting responsible waste management. It has upcycled more than 20 metric tons of waste and continues to create awareness about sustainability, especially among children and communities.

6. MiReHu Nonprofit Kft, Hungary. The organization focuses on waste prevention, illustrating the variety of options to make their lives more sustainable.

7. Pipilika - Gold from E-Waste to contemporary jewelry, Ireland / U.K. The jewelry sector represents 50 percent of gold demand globally, though it uses little gold recovered from end-of-life electronics.  This project demonstrates the journey from e-scrap to contemporary jewelry, promoting the use of recycled gold by the jewelry sector.  

8. Triple R Recycling, Abuja, Nigeria. With a mission to reduce plastic pollution in our communities, the organization focuses on collecting waste plastics from waterways, rivers and the environment and buying back plastic waste from households and aggregators while also creating income opportunities for young people and women.

9. The Circular Oasis at CR205, Singapore. The Circular Oasis at CR205 has developed a closed-loop water recycling system that redefines sustainable construction practices. The project aligns with Singapore Green Plan 2030 by transforming treated site run-off through a cascading reuse model. Rather than discharging treated water, it is channeled into an innovative evaporative cooling system, circulating it over worker rest area roofs.

10. Zero Waste ZP, Ukraine. PlasticOn is a community recycling workshop created by the Zero Waste ZP NGO in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. The project was launched in 2021 by local environmental activists who wanted to demonstrate that plastic waste can become a resource instead of ending up in landfills. The workshop space and equipment were developed through crowdfunding, grants and volunteer work.

11. EnviroCom Australia. EnviroCom has provided environmental education and research services to government, local communities, schools and the private sector throughout Australia since 1998. Seeking sustainable outcomes, community empowerment, quality data collection and assessment and efficient resource recovery, it has delivered innovative strategies and program elements to clients.

12. Quest for Zero Waste Advocacy & Actions, USA. This initiative to build an environmentally friendly and material-efficient home as a place to practice resource saving and waste reduction daily and as a venue for ongoing showcasing, educating and advocating for zero waste.

13. Leafline Washable Sanitary Wear, South Africa. Leafline is a South African social enterprise transforming menstrual care through innovation, sustainability and dignity. By manufacturing washable sanitary wear from natural fibers extracted from pineapple leaves, Leafline replaces chemical-based disposable products with safe, environmentally friendly alternatives.

14. Jhun-Jhun Agustin, Philippines. This organization takes the revenue it earns from selling plastic that it recovers while plogging, or picking up litter while running, to supply solar lights.

15. Blessn Evea Signature, Abuja, Nigeria. This organization transforms textile waste, fashion waste and plastic waste into new, durable pieces through upcycling and recycling, helping to reduce waste, create jobs and promote environmental sustainability. 

The startup winners recognized this year also will receive $500:

1. Business & Hotel Management School Sustainability Club, Switzerland. Store Recycling Innovation is a student-led project promoting sustainability. Students meet weekly to develop new sustainable and recycling solutions, including establishing Re: Store, which has been effective in reducing waste by repurposing and reusing everyday student items.

2. Little Coffee Cup, U.K. Little Coffee Cup and the Big Surprise is the UK’s first children’s book made entirely from recycled coffee cups. It transforms hard-to-recycle material into a high-quality, fully recyclable educational product, delivering measurable waste reduction, scalable circular economy impact, engaging children and families in sustainability and responsible recycling behaviors.

3. LassaSafe, Nigeria. This organization seeks to reduce environmental risk factors for notifiable diseases by promoting sustainable waste management, recycling and community sanitation practices that protect ecosystems and strengthen preventive public health.

4. BSU Mandiri - A Grassroots Movement, Indonesia. In 2025 alone, BSU Mandiri diverted more than 11 metric tons of mixed recyclables, including plastics, metals and glass from landfill. What makes this achievement meaningful is not just the volume, but how it was accomplished. It is powered by eight active core volunteers, working professionals, mothers and university students who dedicate their time outside of work and study hours. 

5. Jesús González, Mexico. When incarcerated from 2024 to 2026, González learned the art of making bags, shoes and other crafts from postconsumer material.