City of Kirkland Named Recycler of the Year for Smart Sort Tournament
Published on May 20, 2026
Media Contact:
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov
The City of Kirkland has earned statewide honors as 2026 Recycler of the Year from the Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA), recognizing the City’s leadership and success in advancing recycling, composting, and waste reduction through its innovative Sort Smart program.
The City’s eight-week pilot program engaged 500 multifamily households across nine properties in Kirkland, transforming one of the most challenging sectors for waste diversion into a model of community-driven environmental action.
“Effective engagement with our apartment and condominium communities is critical to achieving our City and region’s sustainability goals, and this program highlights the value of an in-person and tailored approach to outreach that is fun, informative, and positive,” said Kirkland City Councilmember Jon Pascal. “We’re honored to be recognized for our recycling and waste diversion education efforts, and thankful to both our creative City staff and WM’s partnership and expertise to expand this program. We are also proud of the Kirkland residents who made this success possible.”
City officials accepted the award at the WSRA Conference in Tulalip on May 6.
The Sort Smart Tournament used a creative, gamified approach to improve recycling and composting behaviors — turning waste reduction into friendly community competition. Residents received hands-on support through a Sorting Coach, educational resources with Sorting Kits, and real-time feedback with a “smiley face” sticker system that encouraged proper sorting and made it easy to understand.
The results were both immediate and significant:
- 37% reduction in garbage – 30.3 cubic yards per week, equal to 56 full loads of a WM collection truck per year
- Recycling increased by 19.5 cubic yards per week (36 truckloads per year)
- Composting increased by 1.4 cubic yards per week (almost three truckloads per year)
- Properties added compost service for the first time, expanding access to 275 additional households
- Contamination decreased across 100% of participating properties, with some achieving near-perfect sorting
“These results directly support the Kirkland Sustainability Strategic Plan’s goals and demonstrate that behavior change at scale is possible — even in complex multifamily environments,” said Karissa Miller, WM’s Outreach Manager in the Pacific Northwest. “By combining education, access, and positive reinforcement, the City of Kirkland created lasting habits that benefit both the community and the environment.”
Beyond the data, the program fostered a sense of community pride and shared responsibility. Residents participated in friendly competition, interacted directly with on-site support staff, and celebrated progress together. Property managers reported strong engagement from residents, with many expressing enthusiasm about reducing waste and learning how to recycle and compost more effectively.
The program also prioritized accessibility and equity by delivering resources directly to residents’ doors, ensuring all households — regardless of schedule, mobility, or language barriers — had access to tools and information.
Kirkland’s Sort Smart Tournament offers a replicable model for cities across Washington facing similar challenges in multifamily communities. With scalable tools, proven results, and a focus on community engagement, the program provides a roadmap for driving measurable environmental impact.
The City plans to build on this momentum, continuing to expand waste reduction efforts and leverage new tools to support long-term behavior change. “This 2026 Recycler of the Year award recognition reflects the City of Kirkland’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship,” said Gena Jain, the City of Kirkland’s Interim Utility Policy and Community Relations Supervisor. “We’re excited to continue this work with WM and help lead and develop programs like Sort Smart that benefit our community and environment.”
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