Thank you to all who submitted nominations for this years awards. We had tough decisions to make as there were many good projects and people nominated for the awards. Please consider making a nomination again next year.
Please join us in congratulating our 2010 award winners!
Christy Dixon Recycler of the Year:
Kathy Powell, Education and Program Specialist, Recycling Connections Corporation
 The Christy Dixon Recycler of the Year award - a recognition given to an individual whose career demonstrates the highest professional standards. Kathy was honored for her nearly 30 years of service and dedication towards cultivating recycling and composting infrastructures in Portage County and throughout Wisconsin.
In the early 1980's Kathy moved to Stevens Point where a grassroots, volunteer-based recycling non-profit organization has just recently formed. Kathy quickly became one of the key volunteers with the organization, which was then called Intra-State Recycling Corporation (ISRC). Over the years she served ISRC as a Board member and officer including the position of Treasurer and President. She led the organization through numerous changes and growth and was synonymous with much of its early identity.
But as anyone who knows Kathy will say, recycling cans, bottles and papers is not her sole passion. In Wisconsin, "composting" and "Kathy Powell" may be synonymous. UW-Extension Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center (SHWEC), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and numerous municipalities and organizations have all sought out Kathy for her composting and/or compost bin sale expertise.
In addition to the points listed above, here are just a few of the many other recycling and composting accomplishments or involvements that Kathy has experienced over the years:
- Owned a composting education business that conducted numerous workshops and presentations on composting for both youth and adults in central Wisconsin.
- Thru a SHWEC contract with RCC, coordinated the Wisconsin Master Composter program for 2 years. This included training volunteers and updating the educational materials.
- Helped with the initial training and kick-off event for Iowa's Master Composter Program.
- Since its inception, Co-Chaired the AROW Organics Committee. This committee has been instrumental in increasing the communication and education between municipalities, state agencies and businesses in Wisconsin and has worked towards initiatives and policies that will improve composting and organics management in our state.
- Current member of Wisconsin's Compost Quality Standards Technical Advisory Committee.
(Pictured above left to right: Toral Jha, Kathy Powell, Wess Damro, Karin Sieg)
Outstanding Achievement in Education:
Waukesha County Recycling Team
 The Outstanding Achievement in Education Award is presented to a group or individual that has excelled in environmental education, specifically related to solid waste and recycling. Waukesha County staff members Meribeth Sullivan, Linda Wainstock, Marcia Bufton, Dustin Nolan, and former staff member Analiese Smith coordinated public education and promotion, recycling compliance, and helped coordinate a successful recycling program that resulted in processing and marketing 22,000 tons of residential recyclables at the County owned Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). Staff also provided public education for an ongoing household hazardous waste collection program for residents of all 37 municipalities (in partnership with a local landfill expansion agreement) that serves approximately 4,500 households per year and properly manages more than 200,000 pounds of old paints, chemicals, mercury, and other hazardous waste and cooperates with three municipal recycling sites to collect more than 130 tons of residential computers annually.
Innovative education and outreach programs for 2009 include:
- County Green Schools program that offers grants and technical assistance to schools to reduce waste and increase recycling that tie in with state Green and Healthy Schools program (30 schools participating).
- New Healthy Body/Healthy Planet program for health clubs that resulted in recycling compliance by 39 health clubs in the county.
- Conducted a recycling bin loan/grant program that ensured recycling at more than 70 community festivals, athletic tournaments and special events.
- Collaborated with Sally Ride Academy (now WI Education innovations) http://wasdi.org/sallyr.html and Cardinal Stritch College to develop and provide a weeklong summer workshop and weekend seminar for teacher credit that included curriculum on waste reduction, recycling, composting, stormwater and water quality issues with field trips and hands-on activities attended by 44 teachers.
- Wrote letters and helped coordinate AROW efforts in support of WI E-Waste law.
- Developed a RecycleMoreWisconsin campaign for local movie theaters in connection with the opening of the movie "Earth" on Earth Day with an onscreen slide, posters and magnets. Also printed bus posters and shelter signs that were shared with Milwaukee and conducted local radio campaign with Be SMART Coalition.
"I am incredibly proud of what the county recycling team has accomplished. Many of their education and program initiatives have served as models for others in the state, including the most recent cross-promotion of recycling and stormwater education programs. They deserve recognition for their dedication, creativity, and innovative approaches to reducing waste, increasing recycling, and fostering sustainability in Waukesha County, the southeast region, and the state," said their supervisor, Karen Fiedler.
(Pictured above left to right: Back - Wess Damro, Linda Wainstock, Dustin Nolan, Meribeth Sullivan, Toral Jha; Front - Karen Fiedler, Analiese Smith)
Outstanding Achievement in Recycling:
Hudson School District R3 Committee
 AROW's Outstanding Achievement in Recycling Award is given to an individual or a group that has excelled in their recycling program. This year's recipient, the Hudson School District's Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (R3) Committee, not only excelled in their recycling program but has transformed their school district and is setting an example for districts across the state.
Following the building of one of the first LEED Gold certified schools in the state, and not wanting to lose that momentum, the R3 committee was formed in 2008 under the leadership of chair Ann Mitchell. The committee is made up of representatives of all staff levels and buildings including: support, custodial, administration, food services, elementary, middle and high school staff.
The district has 5441 students, 650 staff and 9 buildings. The initial vision included making recycling readily available and highly visible for all students and staff in all buildings. The plan also included goals on educating students on recycling, creating a student video for peer-to-peer education, reducing total paper consumption, eliminating disposable food service products and conducting a district wide paper drive. All targets were met by June 2009. The first paper drive generated 4 tons of paper and the second, just completed at the beginning of February, collected nearly 9 tons leading to the establishment of a permanent community paper collection site in the district. All while reducing total paper consumption by 10%. Much of the success is due to very motivated staff and students in the Middle School's Radical Recyclers club under the direction of teacher Gwen Conklin and the involvement of 2 bright young students Zea Bronson and Lydia Bentrott. The Radical Recyclers group is making an impact beyond their school by sponsoring a district-wide paper challenge, creating a video and a blog about recycling among other things.
(Pictured above left to right: Back - Toral Jha, Wess Damro, Anna McCabe, Ann Mitchell, Jennifer Havens, Gwen Conklin; Front - Zea Bronson, Lydia Bentrott)
To read the recent AROW awards press release click here.
2009 AROW Recycling Award Recipients
List of past AROW Recycling Award Recipients - Click Here |
