BIOSOLIDS AWARDS PROGRAM

The purpose of the awards program is to recognize significant contributions in the development and implementation of cost effective, environmentally safe and publicly acceptable biosolids beneficial use practices, which recycle nutrients, improve soil conditions, or otherwise conserve valuable natural resources.

Nominations will be accepted for recognition of excellence in a wide range of activities that have stimulated beneficial use of municipal or industrial biosolids. There are four categories of awards for which nominations are accepted. Awards may be presented in the following categories:

1. Operating Projects for Class A (large >=1650 dry tons/year and small <1650 dry tons/year) and Class B (large >=500 dry tons/year and small <500 dry tons/year). Outstanding, full-scale, beneficial use technologies and public acceptance.
2. Technology Development Activities. Significant technological improvements that have been developed and fully proven at the operational level; these may be pilot or full-scale activities.
3. Research Activities. Studies that have substantially contributed to an improved understanding of biosolids beneficial use practices, improved public acceptance, and/or advanced the technology.

Criteria:

A. Operating Projects (4 categories)

1. Class A >=1650 dry tons/year (large) < 1650 dry tons/year (small)
   Class B >=500 dry tons/year (large) < 500 dry tons/year (small)
2. Significant recycling/reuse of natural recourses (e.g., nutrients, organic matter and energy)
3. Substantial, full scale, proven operation over time
4. Constant, cost effective operation
5. Public acceptance
   1. Demonstrated increases in both public acceptance and public demand. The term “public” is meant to include regulatory agencies, agricultural organizations, water quality professionals, public health officials, environmentalists, academic institutions, and the news media as well as the general public. Indicators of “demand” include such factors as waiting lists and user paying for biosolids.
   2. Characterized by dedicated and successful individual and team efforts.
   3. Demonstrated willingness to share information and approaches for gaining public acceptance.
   4. Proactive successful approaches for working the press and other groups explaining the benefits of biosolids use, cultivating and gaining allies, and educating against unfounded alarmist stories that may arise.
   5. Excellence in local information transfer and training efforts that have made a positive local difference, (e.g., on-site demonstrations and collaborative efforts involving municipalities, citizens, universities, and others)
   6. Characterized by managers who work with all stakeholders to identify and utilize critical control points for ensuring sound management and community-friendly practices.
6. Compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local regulations.
7. Management of nutrients, and control of nuisances such as odor, dust and traffic.
8. Excellence in project management, and particularly management that fosters close communication and coordination among stakeholders from generators to end users as well as project neighbors and the public.

B. Technology and Innovation or Development Activities

1. Sustained excellence in advancing our knowledge of technologies that recycle biosolids
2. Technology that has the potential to advance many other areas across the nation
3. Operationally proven
4. Resolved previous biosolids management or utilization problems and have helped gain public acceptance

C. Research Activities

1. Greatly improve our understanding of the environmental effects associated with beneficial use of biosolids
2. Substantial contribution toward the development of improved technological designs and operations
3. Key information generated for the development of improved biosolids regulations and guidance
4. Greater public acceptability of biosolids recycling

Submit:

Please click here to download the awards nomination form

Nominations Accepted From:

Nominations for awards may be submitted by anyone including the nominee, the IDEM, municipalities, industries, or other interested parties.

Nominated entries may include both individuals and groups from private as well as public organizations.

Nomination Date:

Deadline for submitting nominations for any of the award categories is June 1 of each year.

Inspection:

All facilities nominated for an award will be inspected by members of the residuals management committee

Award winners are not limited on the frequency of submittals. A facility may win an award multiple years in a row.