ReMA’s highest award recognizes innovations by manufacturers that actively incorporate DFR principles into products and processes.
(January 28, 2025 - Washington, D.C.) – The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) is
now accepting applications for the
2025 Design for Recycling® (DFR) Award. Known as ReMA’s highest recognition, the DFR initiative began more than 30 years ago and encourages manufacturers to account for a product’s end-of-life by considering what else it could become during the design stage. This reduces waste and reliance on natural resources.
“ReMA’s Design for Recycling Award recognizes excellence in innovation in product design and manufacturing, which is essential to a sustainable and resilient planet,” said ReMA President Robin Wiener. “Incorporating recycling into a product’s design from the conception phase is critical. ReMA applauds manufacturers who recognize that a product’s useful intent does not end because its original intent has run its course. We look forward to receiving submissions for the 2025 DFR Award.”
Winners from the last 5 years include the REMADE Institute, Sonoco Alloyd, Cascade Engineering, and Lexmark. The full list is available
here.
To be eligible for the Design for Recycling® Award, a company’s product must adhere to the following criteria:
- Contain the maximum amount of materials that are recyclable.
- Be easily recycled through current or newly designed recycling processes and procedures.
- Be cost effective to recycle, whereby the cost to recycle does not exceed the value of its recycled materials.
- Be free of hazardous materials that are not recyclable or impede the recycling process.
- Minimizes the time and cost involved to recycle the product.
- Reduce the use of raw materials by including recycled materials and/or components.
- Have a net gain in the overall recyclability of the product while reducing the overall negative impact on the environment.
Companies can submit their products for 2025 DFR Award consideration using the
online form or electronic application on or before the March 3, 2025 deadline. Applicants will be notified by March 31, 2025. The winner will be officially recognized at
ReMA2025 - The Show Powered by ReMatter to be held May 12-15, 2025, in San Diego, California.
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The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) represents more than 1,700 companies in the U.S. and 40 countries around the globe. Based in Washington, D.C., ReMA provides advocacy, education, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycled materials play in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development.