How much funding does Circular Arizona Awards provide?

Funding amounts vary. Check the grant details for specifics.

When is the deadline for Circular Arizona Awards?

The deadline is October 1, 2026.

Circular Arizona Awards

ARIZONA RECYCLING COALITION

Foundation Annual Grants for Nonprofits Environmental Grants Environmental Conservation Grants

Apply Now

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

October 1, 2026

176 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Circular Arizona Awards

Overview: Circular Arizona celebrates and recognizes individuals, organizations, schools, municipalities, and businesses demonstrating outstanding leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in advancing Arizona's circular economy.

Geographic Scope: Arizona

Award Categories:

Business Awards

Small Business of the Year: Organizations demonstrating circular economy principles and sustainability innovation
Large Business of the Year: Major institutions showing institutional circular leadership and systems-level change

Organizational & Municipal Awards

Nonprofit of the Year: Organizations advancing circular economy through education or operations
Municipality of the Year: Cities leading comprehensive circular systems and waste diversion
School of the Year: Schools integrating circular economy education and practices

Individual Honors

Individual of the Year: People demonstrating significant contributions to circular economy advancement
Lifetime Member Recognition: Board members and long-term advocates with sustained impact

Selection Criteria:

Leadership and innovation in circular economy practices

Measurable impact on waste reduction or circularity

Dedication and commitment to sustainability

Systems-level or scalable approaches

Community engagement and education

Alignment with circular economy principles

Eligibility:

Award winners do NOT need to be Circular Arizona members

ONLY Circular Arizona members can submit nominations

Open to schools, municipalities, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals across Arizona

2026 Award Winners:

Individual of the Year: Sibia Torres Padilla ("Sibster") - reuse and upcycling educator

Large Business of the Year: Mayo Clinic Arizona - healthcare sustainability leadership

Municipality of the Year: City of Flagstaff - zero waste leadership

Nonprofit of the Year: The Children's Museum of Phoenix - circular education

School of the Year: Tucson Unified School District & UofA School Garden Workshop - composting initiative

Small Business of the Year: The Bra Recyclers - textile reuse and social equity

Lifetime Member: Alexis Yaple - board leadership and governance

Contact Information:

Email: hello@circulararizona.org

Website: circulararizona.org/Awards

Address: 24 W. Camelback Rd. Suite A-492, Phoenix, AZ 85013

How to Apply

How to Nominate

1. Membership Requirement for Nominators: Must be a Circular Arizona member to submit nominations
- Learn more about membership at CircularArizona.org/Join

2. Nomination Access: Visit CircularArizona.org/Awards

3. Nomination Materials: Submit information about the nominee including:
- Name and organization/affiliation
- Award category
- Description of accomplishments and impact
- Specific examples of circular economy leadership or innovation
- Measurable outcomes or contributions
- Community engagement and influence

4. Submission Deadline: Nominations close on the specified annual deadline (typically October 1st) at 11:59 p.m.

5. Selection Process:
- Nominations reviewed by selection committee
- Recipients announced in the following year
- Awardees recognized at Circular Arizona's Annual Meeting

6. Recognition: Award recipients are honored at the Annual Meeting with physical awards crafted from recycled materials