New York recyclers honored - Municipal Recycling - Brief Article

Recycling Today, Dec, 2002

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and commissioner Erin M. Crotty have announced the 2002 Governor's Waste Reduction and Recycling Awards winners.

The awards were presented at the 13th Annual New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse & Recycling Inc. (NYSA[R.sup.3]) Seminar, held in Binghamton, N.Y., in late October.

Applicants were judged on overall waste reduction and recycling achievements, economic and community benefits, extent of employee participation and overall environmental record.

Guilderland Central School District, Albany County, won the Achievement of Excellence award. The school district's recycling program began in 1995 at the Farnsworth Middle School and is now in its third year as a district-wide program. Materials recycled include paper, glass, plastic, metal, cardboard, cafeteria food waste and ink-jet cartridges. The program generates revenue from its ink-jet cartridge recycling and does not add any costs to the district's budget

Cedar Knoll Log Homes Inc., Plattsburgh, N.Y., received an Innovation award. In September 2000, Cedar Knoll used a $90,000 Empire State Development Corporation award to buy equipment to convert smaller pieces of waste wood into railing system components. Cedar Knoll requires more scrap wood than it generates and buys wood scraps and cut-offs from other lumber mills.

Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority, Ramapo, N.Y., also received an Innovation award. The Authority's education program includes an environmental education center and interactive recycling museum.

Direct mailings, frequent weekly cable show reports, a new Web site and educational giveaways keep the community involved in recycling efforts.