A method for awarding blockchain mining fees based on recycling efforts includes: receiving recycling data for each of a plurality of mining systems including an amount of recycled materials associated with the respective mining system; receiving validation data for each mining system from third party entities including, for each mining system, a confirmation of the amount of recycled materials for the respective recycling data; selecting one of the mining systems, which is weighted based on the amount of recycled materials for the respective mining system compared to a total amount of recycled materials for all mining systems; and receiving a new block generated by the selected mining system including a block header and a plurality of blockchain data values including a blockchain data value corresponding to a blockchain transaction for payment of mining fees for the new block to a wallet associated with the selected mining system.