In 2018, the Recycling Excellence (REX) Award was renamed the Jean Clark Recycling Excellence Award.

Jean Clark was widely regarded as the state’s “Mother of Recycling”. She, in the 1970s, developed one of the first community recycling centers in her hometown of Montclair. It soon became a model for municipal and county recycling programs that followed.

Jean Clark received many awards: “Recycler of the Year” from the National Recycling Congress (1980), “Recycler of the Decade” (1980) from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Pride Award in the field of Environment (1986), the Wells College Alumnae Association Award, (2000), and the ANJR REX award in 2006.

Jean Clark was an active ANJR member for many years who generously shared her knowledge and wisdom with many members.

Jean Clark passed away on June 24, 2018, at the age of 95.


The Jean Clark REX Award is presented to an active ANJR member who embraces the vision and values of ANJR, promotes the goals of ANJR through action and advocacy. They must maintain professional standards, and act responsibly and be well versed on the issues of recycling and solid waste.

Our past Jean Clark REX Award Winners