The challenge of recycling in New Mexico has spurred an explosion of innovations and creativity. Cities, counties and nonprofits demonstrated the state’s inventive spirit and commitment to the environment at the 2016 SWANA conference in Albuquerque this fall.
SWANA, the Solid Waste Association of North America, is a leading professional association in the solid waste management field. The group’s 2016 Excellence Awards for Recycling and Solid Waste Management recognizes outstanding solid waste and recycling programs and facilities throughout New Mexico.
The presentation in September revealed that people in the state are working hard to evolve and develop new ideas and new approaches to deal with the problems of solid waste disposal. Among the awards given to local innovators by the SWANA chapter and the New Mexico Recycling Coalition (NMRC) this year:
- Galloping Grace Youth Ranch wins Diversion Project of the Year award by taking food waste from the Rio Rancho schools, Albertson’s markets and other sources to feed livestock; the meat from which is donated to local food pantries to feed hungry New Mexicans. In 2015, the GGYR diverted 800,000 pounds of food waste, keeping it out of landfills, and donated close to 2,000 pounds of packaged pork to local food banks. For more information visit www.ggyr.org.
- Eldorado 285 was awarded the Nonprofit Recycling Group of the Year. The group, founded in 2011, provides all-volunteer recycling services for 3,500 homes and businesses. The group’s vermiculture (worm-growing) program has kept over 50 tons of food waste out of the Santa Fe landfill, and also works to keep local roads litter-free.
- Truth or Consequences solid waste facility was named the Most Innovative Solid Waste Project of the Year
- Placitas Recycling Facility was recognized as Recycling Facility of the Year; 150 community volunteers run the facility, accepting plastic, cardboard, metal and other typical recyclables. They also collect packaging materials and offer them for reuse to community members.
- Elena Kayak of Rio Rancho Public Schools was named Recycler of the Year. Kayak, has been an energy/environmental specialist with the Rio Rancho school system since 2008. In the last year, her programs diverted 62,000 pounds of food waste; she has also arranged for field trips and other educational experiences for Rio Rancho students. More than 7,000 students are involved working on the food waste diversion program.
To read the full story, visit http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/2016/11/05/innovation-drives-states-top-recyclers/93087592/.