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P.O. Box 20444 |
May/June 1998 Newsletter Co-Editors: |
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P.O. Box 20444 |
May/June 1998 Newsletter Co-Editors: |
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| The Indiana Recycling Coalition again had the honor of hosting the presentation of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in Recycling. Joyce Martin, Governor O'Bannon's Executive Assistant, John M. Hamilton, IDEM's Commissioner, and Julie Rhodes, IN Dept. of Commerce Recycling Market Development Coordinator, presented the awards at the Ninth annual IRC Conference April 29th, 1998 at the Indianapolis Marriott. The following is an excerpt from an official IDEM Press Release. Full press release text available via: http://www.ai.org/cgi-bin/idem/news/apr/indexdisp.cgi?file=govawa2.html The 1998 award winners in source reduction and recycling are as follows: |
Gasification Services, Inc., West Terre Haute: Recycling is built into the design of Gasification Services. The gasification process removes sulfur from locally mined coal, eliminating sulfur dioxide emissions. The sulfur is recycled into a salable material. This "clean" process is one of the first of its kind in the country. Since 1995, the company has eliminated more than 51 million pounds of sulfur dioxide, recovering more than 25 million pounds of pure, chemical-grade sulfur. Contact Roy Dowd, 812-535-6057.
Therapeutic Innovations, Brookston: The clinic's innovative approach to therapy also applies to its source reduction and recycling efforts. Co-owner Lenard Miller continuously investigates opportunities for the clinic, recycling pediatric wheelchairs by reclaiming used parts and installing them on children's wheelchairs that need replacement parts at much lowers costs. The staff fills only two full cans of trash each month due to their office recycling program. Contact Lenard Miller, 765-563-6868.
Navistar-Indianapolis Casting Corp., Indianapolis: The automotive foundry has reused nearly 70 percent annually of excess foundry sand produced during manufacturing. Instead of going to landfills, the sand is used as feed stock for a kiln that produces Portland cement. The foundry worked with the state through the Indiana Cast Metals Association to develop guidance documents for alternative uses for foundry sand. Contact Darryl R. Dasher, 317-352-4892.
City of Marion - 51 percent landfill diversion: In 1997 the city disposed of 3,654 tons of trash, but diverted 4,710 tons through yard waste, drop-off and curbside initiatives. Marion's Clean City organization helped develop 18 neighborhood associations that promote source reduction and recycling and disseminate information. Contact Darren Reese, 765-668-4428.
City of Rensselaer - 52 percent landfill diversion: Rensselaer has to stimulate local participation in a recycling program. It had to be convenient for residents and cost effective for the community to win people away from paying only $6 per month for pick up. The city launched a pilot pick-up program and promotional campaign in May 1994. Despite the expenses of the municipal recycling for the city, during the past year, the recycling program has created a profit of nearly $13,000. Contact Louis Spataro, 219-866-7833.
City of West Lafayette - 52 percent landfill diversion: The West Lafayette recycling drop-off center, curbside recycling program and yard waste programs have improved continuously since 1989. Education and outreach efforts include a flyer and brochure on environmentally conscious lawn care. The city has justified the flyer mailings by demonstrating the results: the mailing cost $1,500/yr; but the impact of residents leaving their grass clippings on lawns and composting in their backyards has been saving $73,740 in hauling and $36,870 in disposal costs. Contact David Downey, 765-775-5242.
City of Bloomington - 50 percent landfill diversion: The city of Bloomington offers curbside collection of trash, yard waste and recyclables. The city experienced a 42 percent increase in the number of households serviced, but trash collected since 1994 increased only nine percent, while recyclables increased 67 percent. More than 11,220 tons of recyclables and yard waste have been diverted from the landfill since 1991. Recycling is collected free of charge. Contact Julio Alonso, 812-349-3410.
St. Joseph Medical Center, Fort Wayne: The state rarely issues a facility a second Governor's Award. But today St. Joseph Medical Center is recycling about five times more than when they received their award in 1996. The hospital encourages employees to practice source reduction and buy recycled products. Because of its outstanding and all-encompassing source reduction and recycling campaign, St. Joseph reached an 80 percent landfill diversion rate( or 84.76 tons) in 1997. Contact Sister Mary Ruth Krack, 219-425-3090.
Most Precious Blood Catholic School, Fort Wayne: Recycling has become a way of life for faculty, students and the parish of this Ft. Wayne Catholic school for preschool through eighth grade. The school invites the entire parish and neighborhood residents to bring recycled paper, cardboard, plastic bags and aluminum cans to the recycling bins on the school premises. Examples of the school's comprehensive recycling program include: students flatten cardboard, aluminum and tin to conserve space in the cafeteria; the custodians have scrap metal barrels to separate recyclable metals; and when the school renovated its heating system last year, parents separated out recyclable metals from the old hot water heaters and metal water pipes; art classes include projects made totally of recycled products; and teachers relate recycling to various subjects, including economics and stewardship. Contact Corinne L. Tessman, 219-424-4832.
Switzerland County Schools, Vevay: Four schools in Switzerland County work with local businesses and the Southeastern Indiana Solid Waste District to recycle paper, cardboard and aluminum cans. The school district diverted approximately 20,000 pounds of cardboard in 1997. Proceeds from the sales of recyclables help pay for classroom supplies and field trips for special education classes. Contact Bonnie Fancher, 812-427-2626.
Jeffrey Langbehn, Merrillville: Langbehn is director of the Lake County Solid Waste Management District. Langbehn realized glass recycling could not be sustained without developing a greater market and state infrastructure. Securing a $500,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Commerce, Langbehn rallied community support to bring Futuristic Tile, LLC, to Lake County to build its second plant. Langbehn also facilitated the opening of the Hoosier Saw Mill, which will divert 600 trees from the city of Hammond waste stream per year. His district has won several Governor's Awards for Excellence in Recycling. Contact Jeffrey Langbehn, 219-769-3820.
Jefferson County Environmental Roundtable, Madison: A group of 60 individuals who believe that responsible use, reuse and recycling should take place at work and at home, the roundtable has been an important catalyst for recycling and waste reduction efforts in Southern Indiana since 1992. Contact Dave Adams, Rotary Lift, 812-265-9580 or Jenny Keeton, Cinergy, 812-265-8210.
Noblesville Senior Citizens Organization, Noblesville: The Senior Citizens Organization promotes the needs of older persons in Hamilton County. Volunteer members run a recycling center behind their community center. The proceeds from the sale of recyclables provide a revenue source for the community center. In November 1997 alone the seniors collected 2,620 pounds of aluminum cans, 4,190 pounds of glass bottles and 44,920 pounds of newspapers. Contact Helen Musselman, President, 317-773-0623.
Mary Campbell, Paragon: Campbell is a housewife and mother of six who organized Paragon Elementary's Environmental Club, which maintains the county's recycling bins at the school parking lot. When political disagreement lead to the removal of the bins, Campbell waged a campaign to get the bins returned to the community, advocating the cause to county commissioners, city council members and newspapers. In March, the West Central Solid Waste Management District returned the bins to the school parking lot. They are the only permanent recycling bins located in Morgan County. Contact Ken Rohrer, Principal of Paragon Elementary, 765-537-2276.
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Copyright 1998 by the Indiana Recycling Coalition
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