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It is with great pleasure that Governor Frank O'Bannon presents Indiana's 1997 Governor's Awards for Excellence in Recycling. Since 1990, Indiana's governor has worked with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to recognize outstanding achievements of those who work to protect and preserve Indiana's environment through source reduction, recycling, and proper management of household hazardous waste. This year's award recipients include businesses, industry, institutions, individuals, local government, and school recycling and education programs. "I welcome the opportunity to recognize businesses and individuals who proactively work to improve our environment," said Governor O'Bannon. "Taking care of Indiana is a responsibility we all share, and I am proud to honor those individuals and companies that make it their business to uphold this responsibility." The award recipients were selected by a review committee composed of representatives from business, industry, local government, state government, and environmental organizations. The committee evaluated each project based on program comprehensiveness, innovation, education and outreach efforts, measurable results and environmental benefit. This year's recipients were selected from the following categories: Business and Industry Source Reduction and Recycling, Local Government Source Reduction and Recycling, Unit Pricing Solid Waste Disposal Programs, Individual, Group, and Educational Institutions Achievements in Source Reduction and Recycling, Media/Journalism and Priority Waste Streams. For information on entering the 1998 competition, contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance at (800) 451-6027, ext: 28172 or (317) 232-8172. |
Contact Person: Rick Wardrup
Phone Number: (812) 265-8878
Grote Industries is a Southern Indiana based, manufacturer of vehicle safety systems, such as lights, mirrors, and lamps. The Madison, Ind., company employs more than 800 people and has been in business since 1901. Grote is recognized in their community, as a proactive company, incorporating the needs of the environment and natural-resource conservation into their business practices. The management at Grote Industries supports changes in operating processes to improve environmental quality or reduce solid waste disposal through source reduction and recycling. Grote's Clear View Team, comprised of employees from every division, assist in discovering and developing new ways to reduce solid waste. Grote Industries recycles cardboard from packaging, scrap metal and wire, aluminum cans from break areas, plastics, office paper, newspaper, magazines, and pallets. Grote also maintains a facility-wide reuse program. Grote practices source reduction in their packaging and requests their vendors to provide reusable packaging or packaging made from recycled or recyclable material. Grote's education and outreach efforts include a monthly newsletter featuring source reduction and recycling tips for each area of operation, and a waste audit performed by the local elementary school's environmental club. Since 1995, Grote has recycled 2.9 million pounds of materials and saved $18,000 dollars in disposal costs for 1996 alone. Revenue from the sale of recyclable materials in 1996 was $94,000.
Inland Steel Company, one of the nation's largest steel manufacturing companies, located in Northern Indiana houses an innovative process to reuse and recycle iron and steel making dusts and sludges as part of a plant-wide waste minimization and recycling program. These particle size, waste oxide sludges and dusts are recycled into briquettes that are used in the oxygen furnace . This innovative process eliminates the need for land disposal of the dusts and sludges, as well as the need to extract natural resources for the production of the briquettes. This briquetting process has diverted more than 450,000 tons of recyclable materials from the landfill since implementation in 1993. In 1996 the briquetting operation diverted 190,000 tons of recyclable materials using it as feedstock in the steel making process, resulting in a $23.2 million cost savings for raw materials and $12.4 million in waste material handling and off-site disposal. In addition to the briquetting process, Inland recycles waste alumina refractory brick, ethylene glycol, plant process water, and used oil. Inland Steel Company is a leader in Indiana's efforts to reduce solid waste and conserve natural resources.
United States Postal Service
South Bend
Contact Person: Earl Metzler
Phone Number: (219) 282-8444
South Bend's Postal Service's comprehensive source reduction and recycling program encompasses 38 associate post offices in a five county region. The South Bend Post Office's program recycles 20 different materials including, mixed paper, cardboard, shrink wrap, metals, pallets, plastic, glass, household batteries, toner cartridges, and grass clippings, along with the elimination of 17 volatile chemicals. The Post Office also collects undeliverable videos and America Online diskettes and gives them to local schools for reuse. South Bend recycled 347 tons of materials in 1996 and accepted an additional 55 tons from associate post offices. South Bend's Vehicle Maintenance Facility recycles its used tires, antifreeze, oil, batteries, and scrap metals. In efforts to close the recycling loop, the vehicle maintenance division uses retread tires and rerefined motor oil. Since 1995 the South Bend Post Office has purchased $30,500 worth of recycled content products.
Contact Person: Laura Albertson
Phone Number: (812) 295-4142
The Martin County Solid Waste Management District's Recycling Center provides an economically feasible option for material recovery in this rural area. Constructed from scrap building materials salvaged from area construction and remodeling projects, the center was built to answer a need. Located in Southern Indiana, where recycling services have been scarce, the facility offers a convenient drive-thru drop-off service for customers to bring their aluminum, batteries, cardboard, glass, many types of paper, steel cans, plastics, used motor oil and clothing. All materials are sorted at the facility and prepared for shipping to various markets throughout the country. The Martin County Materials Recycling Center also maintains an extensive materials exchange and reuse program. The facility accepts materials from residents of its county and surrounding counties and businesses. The facility will market materials for recycling service providers throughout the state. Since opening in May of 1996, the center has collected and marketed more than 326 tons of recyclable materials.
Contact Person: Randy Knach
Phone Number: (219) 248-3123
The Whitley County Solid Waste Management District's county wide curbside recycling program offers curbside collection of recyclables to every resident of Whitley County whether they live within city limits or on the rural outskirts of the county. The county developed and implemented a recycling ordinance in 1994, at which time it implemented an extensive education program, including numerous public hearings. The private/public contract service, provided by Browning-Ferris Industries, makes it easy for residents of Whitley County to recycle aluminum and metal cans, plastics, glass and various grades of paper. A portion of Whitley County's success can be contributed to extensive education to promote source reduction and recycling. Whitley County residents take pride in their recycling program, recycling an average of 58 pounds of recyclables per household per month! This comprehensive curbside recycling program serving all of the 11,500 households in Whitley County diverted more than 3,000 tons of recyclables from the landfill in 1996. This dedicated commitment to conserving our natural resources comes from every participating resident and the staff of Whitley County's Solid Waste Management District, who also staff the Whitley County Highway Department, proving that regardless of population size or allotment of time, everyone can make a difference with excellent recycling practices.
Contact Person: Mark Harbin
Phone Number: (219) 659-2725
Whiting's comprehensive curbside recycling program collects aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, glass, various types of paper, plastics, and yard waste. The city's recycling program incorporates all residential areas, the school district, the post office and local businesses. Seventy-five percent of the city's residents participate in the program, diverting more than 347 tons of recyclable materials from the landfill last year. The city of Whiting has an extensive education and outreach program that includes public meetings held several times throughout the year to educate its residents. The city also produces and distributes fliers and brochures to keep their participants informed about updated procedures and new source reduction ideas. To conserve as many natural resources as possible, the city of Whiting developed a recycling hotline to provide additional information to the community. The city is a leader in recycling, considering it the way of the future.
Contact Person: Diane Thurber
Phone Number: (219) 769-3820
The Enviromobile is an innovative education and outreach program operated by the Lake County Solid Waste Management District. The full-size cargo van equipped with environmental awareness kits, recyclable materials, and products made from recyclables, travels from schools to community functions providing students, teachers, and community members a hands-on opportunity to learn about natural resource conservation through source reduction and recycling practices. Now in its third school year, the Enviromobile has reached 700 teachers in Lake County, and visited 300 classrooms and 6,000 students.
Johnson Memorial Hospital
Franklin, IN
Contact Person: Karen Clark
Phone Number: (317) 736-3350
Johnson Memorial Hospital's comprehensive source reduction and recycling program collects and recycles all grades of paper, cardboard, aluminum, glass, plastic, steel cans and batteries. Their source reduction program significantly reduced paper use through the implementation of voice mail and electronic mailing of information and documents. The source reduction and recycling team was able to eliminate the need for patient admission kits, thus eliminating excess packaging and landfilling of unused materials. The hospital's education and outreach campaign includes a hospital newsletter featuring source reduction and recycling tips. Johnson Memorial reduced their non-hazardous waste by 50 percent in 1996, reducing and/or recycling more than 90 tons per week.
Phone Number: (765) 675-6200
Brook Edwards started his career and quest for recycling education in 1984. Since that time, Brook has become involved in various not-for-profit organizations that promote source reduction and recycling. As a member of the Indiana Recycling Coalition and the Kokomo Recycling Coalition, Brook developed and donated World Wide Web sites to each of the organizations. The web sites provide information on how to reduce solid waste, join organizations and play an active role in reducing Indiana's solid waste. Brook's personal Web pages attract many visitors each month from all over the world, seeking advice about various recycling problems. As a member of Tipton County's Chamber of Commerce, Brook volunteered his time to coordinate recycling services for the 1998 Farm Progress Show that will attract more than 300,000 people and several tons of recyclable materials that may otherwise end up in landfills. In 1996, Brook and two of his Kokomo customers saved and donated several hundred pounds of high quality paper to the financially strapped Indianapolis Public Schools art department.
Phone Number: (765) 642-2455
Tim Murphy promotes environmental stewardship in his community. He collects nearly 750 pounds of recyclable materials each week from his neighborhood and his work place. A long-time recycler, Tim decided in 1995 to get his colleagues and neighbors involved in recycling to preserve natural resources. Tim volunteered to collect and transport recyclable materials from 250 homes and three businesses, counting his workplace. Mr. Murphy provides this service as part of his civic duty and donates the proceeds from the sale of the recyclables to his local church for youth services. Tim's efforts have made it possible to divert more than 20 tons of recyclable material from the landfill each year, illustrating the difference one person's dedication can make.
Contact Person: Sheila Roach
Phone Number: (219) 865-6517
The Dyer Recycling Committee is a dedicated group of individuals who have worked many years to protect and preserve the environment by promoting source reduction and recycling activities. The committee, established in 1990, has evolved into a source reduction and recycling resource for the city of Dyer. Working with a private waste and recycling hauler, the committee serves as a customer service organization to help residents maintain and participate in recycling programs. Dyer Recycling Committee organizes various source reduction and recycling education campaigns, including two city wide newsletters to encourage consumers to buy products made-from-recycled materials or made of recyclable materials and how to prepare their materials for recycling. The city of Dyerdiverted 24 percent of its solid waste in 1996.
Contact Person: Janet Cline
Phone Number: (765) 249-2244
The Clinton Central School Recycling Steering Committee was developed in 1993 when a diverse group of students and teachers realized a shared goal to implement a comprehensive recycling program. The group of K-12 students work together to provide recycling opportunities to the school and area residents who lack access to recycling service. The group received grant funds from PSI Energy and the Indiana Department of Education's Learn and Serve Program to purchase a compartmentalized recycling trailer. They used the proceeds from the sale of the recyclables, along with a grant from the Wildcat Creek Solid Waste Management District, to pay for the materials to be hauled to a recycling center. The group developed educational flyers and posters to teach the community how to prepare their materials for recycling. The program is open to anyone in Clinton County but is used most frequently by the students and surrounding Michigantown households . Collecting aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, glass, paper and plastics, the Clinton Central School Recycling Steering Committee has diverted more than 93 tons of recyclables from the landfill each year.
Contact Person: Joan Woebbeking
Phone Number: (219) 632-5493
Woodburn Lutheran School fifth through eighth graders have a unique commitment to recycling in their city. The students contracted with the city in 1992 to staff Woodburn's community drop-off recycling site, and the commitment continues to grow with every new school year. Each student participating in the program staffs the recycling site three times per year. The students learn the importance of conserving natural resources through recycling as they collect aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, glass, papers and plastics. Students share in the city's recycling efforts, experiencing first hand what a lot of commitment and a little effort can do to preserve our natural resources.
Contact: Kyle Niederpruem
Phone Number: (317) 633-1240
In observance of Earth Day 1996, Kyle Niederpruem, staff environmental writer for the Indianapolis Star and News, embarked on a series of articles bringing awareness to recycling opportunities and the environmental benefits they present. Kyle wrote more than ten articles covering curbside and drop-off recycling, recycling industries and material specific recycling issues. Kyle developed and published a survey for readers to respond with their interest in recycling. The series of articles educated its readers on the importance of recycling. The articles highlighted successful programs and illustrated how recyclables are made into new products.
Contact Person: Susan Haslip
Phone Number: (812) 354-2924
The Southern Indiana Regional Household Hazardous Waste Task Force developed and implemented a regional program to collect and recycle automotive fluids in May of 1996. This cooperative effort among sixteen solid waste management districts and various private automotive fluid recyclers has provided 51 collection sites in Southern Indiana for do-it-yourself oils changers to properly dispose of their used oil, oil filters, and antifreeze. A large portion of the Task Force's success can be contributed to their comprehensive education campaign that included posters, flyers, and an extensive curriculum for driver's education and vocational technology students. The program collected and recycled more than 25,000 gallons of used oil, 40 drums of used oil filters, and over 1000 gallons of used antifreeze from May through December of 1996. This year's award is the second for the task force. The Southern Indiana Regional Household Hazardous Waste Task Force received the 1995 Governor's Award for Excellence in Recycling for their innovative and successful household battery recycling program.
Contact Person: Linda Pride Thompson
Phone Number: (812) 349-2867
Indiana's first permanent Hazardous Materials Facility, established in Monroe County in 1992, offers proper handling of hazardous materials to Indiana residents and small businesses. Hazardous materials dropped off at the facility include pesticides, paints, solvents, stains, aerosol cans, florescent tubes, and various other hazardous materials. These materials are reused, recycled, and/or reclaimed whenever possible. Since its inception, the facility has diverted 120,000 pounds of batteries, 10,000 gallons of paint, 5,000 pounds of chemicals, and 18,000 gallons of motor oil from landfills. A large portion of the program is dedicated to educating the public about proper disposal and potential reduction of the hazardous materials. The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District provides brochures and literature designed to serve this purpose. This significant diversion of hazardous materials from the landfill protects landfill leachate from contamination, thus preventing costly leachate treatment costs and protects Indiana's air, land, and water from potential contamination.
Contact Person: Terry Hogan
Phone Number: (317) 261-8635
IPL's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship has led them to an innovative Byproduct Utilization Program. IPL installed two scrubbers in their Petersburgh Plant at a combined cost of 200,000 million dollars. IPL chose to install the higher cost scrubbers to produce gypsum rather than the alternative, which is unusable byproduct requiring landfilling. The program uses pollution control equipment byproduct to make commercial grade gypsum. The scrubber byproduct is sufficient enough to produce 285,000 tons of high quality gypsum annually. The gypsum is then sold to Indiana based, United States Gypsum Company to use in the manufacturing of wallboard. The Byproduct Utilization Program has allowed IPL to reuse or recycle 100 percent of the gypsum contained in the utility byproduct in 1996. This innovative process offers a new source of gypsum, reducing the need to mine natural gypsum, thus conserving natural resources.
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Copyright 1997 by the Indiana Recycling Coalition
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