This September, The National Recycling Coalition honored recycling awards recipients at the Resource Recycling Conference in New Orleans. The awards were presented to the recipients at the 2016 Murray J. Fox Scholarship and NRC Annual Awards Luncheon.
The awards program is designed to honor and recognize outstanding individuals, programs, and organizations around the country, both for their achievements, and to serve as a model and a resource for learning for NRC members. Award categories range from higher education, not- for and for-profit organizations, business leadership, as well as recognition of outstanding programs.
2016 Awards and Recipients
- Outstanding Business Leadership For-Profit Company- Sheetz Inc. & Weis Markets, Inc.
- Outstanding Not-for-profit Business Leadership- La Soupe of Cincinati, Ohio
- Outstanding Recycling Organization- Indiana Recycling Coalition & Texas STAR
- Outstanding Higher Education- Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas
- Outstanding Community or Government Program- The Chapel Hill – Carrboro School District, North Carolina
- Outstanding Community or Government Program, Honorable Mention- City of Columbia, South Carolina, School District
- Bill Heenan Emerging Leader- Laurel Stelter of Iowa
- Lifetime Achievement in Recycling- Meg Morris of Covanta Energy
Details of the Awards and Winners
Outstanding Business Leadership For-Profit Company
Sheetz, a family-owned firm, pilot tested bins, service, hauling contracts, and employee training and found a solution that works in this sector – which they have now rolled out to 70% of their locations. They are already diverting over 8 million bottles and cans, expecting to hit 12 million as they finish roll-out. What a great example for others in the convenience store industry!
In response to a corporate mission to be good environmental stewards, Weis reduced their company’s carbon footprint 22.1% from their 2008 baseline – surpassing their 20% by 2020 target 4 years early. They achieved this goal by creatively manufacturing recyclables into new products, including Envirologs from recycled waxed paper; Weis Choice compost from food from 70 stores; and customer plastic bags turned into Trex lumber – and also receiving back park benches to donate to community organizations.
Outstanding Not-for-profit Business Leadership
Food is a huge focus in our industry, and La Soupe is a non-profit that rescues food toward feeding hungry people with the soups and stews that chef and founder Suzy deYoung whips up – a step up the process over composting! Partnership is the name of the game at La Soupe – including partnerships with grocery stores, organic farmers, and other area chefs (called the “Chef Bucket Brigade”). They also hold after-school cooking classes, and feeding children in food deserts is a special target for La Soupe.
To read the full story, visit http://nrcrecycles.org/the-national-recycling-coalition-2016-awards-recipients/.