Programs Recognized for Innovation, Workforce Development, and Community Impact
ORANGE COUNTY, CA (July 16, 2026) – OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) has received four National Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), recognizing programs that advance workforce development, strengthen operations, improve public engagement, and invest in employee growth. The awards highlight OCWR’s commitment to continuous improvement and delivering innovative public services that create measurable benefits for employees, residents, and communities across Orange County. The following programs were recognized:
- County Administration and Management: Heavy Equipment Operator Workforce Development Program
OCWR developed a Heavy Equipment Operator Workforce Development Program to improve safety, strengthen operational performance, and create career pathways for employees. Using a progressive training model that combines classroom instruction, simulator-based learning, supervised field operation, and certification, employees gain experience before transitioning to live equipment. Since launch, the program has delivered more than 1,200 hours of supervised training while reducing operational risk and supporting long-term workforce development.
- Information Technology: Project Clearinghouse (CH): A Single-Entry Point for Infrastructure Projects
OCWR’s Project Clearinghouse (CH) established a centralized process to review and prioritize infrastructure and construction projects across the department. Through a digital intake platform and structured evaluation process, CH improves visibility, strengthens coordination, reduces duplication, and helps align infrastructure investments with long-term operational priorities.
- Health: Game On! Teamwork for Community Outreach
Orange County partnered with the Los Angeles Angels to expand community outreach through mental health awareness and environmental education. Through a collaborative effort between the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) and OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR), the initiative combined distinct outreach strategies to engage different audiences through in-stadium activations, school programs, media campaigns, and community engagement. The program generated more than 3.3 billion impressions, drove over 200,000 visits to mental health resources, and increased student participation in recycling education by 63 percent.
- Personnel Management, Employment and Training: Employee Career Development Through Field Bootcamp Training
OCWR launched a Field Bootcamp Training Program to strengthen employee skills, support career growth, and build cross-functional experience across landfill engineering and operations. Developed through collaboration among technical teams, the four-day training provides hands-on experience in surveying, water monitoring, composting, and landfill gas systems, and creates practical workflows that improve performance, consistency, and long-term compliance.
“These awards reflect OCWR’s culture for continuous improvement and investing in programs that strengthen our workforce, improve operations, and better serve our communities,” said Tom Koutroulis, Director of OC Waste & Recycling. “We appreciate the recognition for these initiatives that encourage innovation, collaboration, and long-term public benefit that reflect our commitment to protect public health and the environment.”
OCWR’s recognition is part of NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program, which honors innovative and effective county government initiatives across the nation in categories ranging from technology and health to sustainability and workforce excellence.
The County of Orange received multiple NACo Achievement Awards this year, demonstrating the County’s continued commitment to continuous improvement, employee-driven innovation, and exceptional public service.
National Association of Counties (NACo)
The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government. www.naco.org
OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR)
OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs through resource recovery, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems and three composting greenery sites, serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and its unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills and compost greeneries reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more by visiting www.OClandfills.com.
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