Meet the winners

Maryland Department of Aging’s Durable Medical Equipment Re-Use program exists to improve the independence and quality of life of Maryland residents with any illness, injury, or disability through access to free mobility equipment. Since the program began less than 3 years ago, they have saved 33,521 items from landfills, offsetting 1,969.93 metric tons of CO2, while saving individuals and the health care system $3.2 million.

Passionate community members, small business owners, agencies, local non-profits—all make up the Plastic-Free MKE coalition. Born from an urgent demand for systemic change by groups and individuals, the coalition combined efforts in an attempt to reach a critical mass to address the plastic crisis locally. The City of Milwaukee officially banned single-use plastic straws, and Milwaukee County banned Styrofoam and other plastics in their vendor contracts, thanks in large part to the advocacy of coalition members. They've also established a Lake Friendly program, supporting communities, businesses and spaces as they commit to plastic reduction.

The Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) equips students with the resources to holistically understand the Waste Crisis and lead solutions on their campuses. Their goals include supporting college campuses in establishing accessible reusable to-go systems for campus dining and empowering and equipping students spearheading these initiatives to navigate bureaucracy and negotiate solutions. Through PLAN’s 10-year history of supporting student activism on college campuses regarding waste, they have assisted in diverting over 12 million pounds of waste and impacted the lives of more than 5 million students.