The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Design for Recycling® (DFR) Award. Known as ReMA’s highest honor, the DFR Award began more than 30 years ago and encourages manufacturers to account for a product’s end-of-life by considering what else it can become, during the design-stage of a product’s development.
“The Design for Recycling Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the innovation of product design and manufacturing. This is vital to a sustainable and resilient world,” said ReMA President Robin Wiener. “When manufacturers integrate recycling into a product’s design, the lifecycle is extended, greater recycling is realized, and waste is reduced. ReMA commends manufacturers who recognize that a product’s service does not end because its original use has run its course. We look forward to receiving submissions for the 2026 DFR Award.”
Winners from the last 5 years include Samsung Electronics, REMADE Institute, Sonoco Alloyd, Dell Inc., and Lexmark. The full list is available here.
To be eligible for ReMA’s 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 2026 DFR Award consideration using the online form or electronic application on or before the February 9, 2026 deadline. Applicants will be notified by February 27, 2026. The winner will be officially recognized at ReMA2026 – The Show, Powered by ReMatter to be held April 13-16, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.