Photo courtesy of Casella Waste Systems Inc.
Casella Waste Systems Inc. has named four companies and institutions as the winners of its Sustainability Leadership awards.
The Rutland, Vermont-based waste and recycling company has recognized Tampa, Florida-based beverage producer Primo Brands; Dartmouth College; The Arc Otsego, based in Oneonta, New York; and the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, Vermont.
Casella's Sustainability Leadership Awards recognize customers “who best exemplify what we can achieve when we work together to reduce waste, increase recycling and advance the circular economy.”
“We are proud to recognize and celebrate the achievements of these organizations with our annual sustainability awards,” says John W. Casella, board chair and outgoing CEO of Casella Waste.
“This year’s recipients exemplify bold innovation and forward-thinking leadership, demonstrating that regardless of the size or scope of an organization, we can all make a difference. It’s a privilege to work alongside them, providing services to help advance their materials management initiatives on a journey to achieving our sustainability goals.”
Primo Brands has integrated circular economy principles into its strategy by designing products that reduce waste and extend life cycles, according to Casella Waste. In partnership with Casella in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York, Primo has achieved a 90 percent recycling rate for fiber, metal and plastic at its sites. At Primo Brands’ site in Somerset, New Jersey, Casella helped dismantle 776 tons of decommissioned coolers, recycling 82 percent of the material while generating revenue, according to the company
Dartmouth College has partnered with Casella to tackle diverse material recovery challenges on campus, from food waste to tires and obsolete electronics. Casella sponsored a student-led campus waste diversion project recently, allowing students to divert textiles from landfill and distribute them through a volunteer-run campus thrift store.
The Arc Otsego, a nonprofit organization in central New York that supports individuals with developmental disabilities, has partnered with Casella for over 25 years to drive sustainable practices. The Otsego ReUse Center helps repurpose building materials and household goods and The Arc Otsego also engages in recycling efforts for sometimes difficult-to-recycle materials like polystyrene plastic, fluorescent bulbs and plastic films.
The University of Vermont Medical has partnered with Casella Waste to implement several waste reduction and diversion initiatives on its campus and has diverted more than 100 tons of surgical wrap, while staff-driven efforts helped lead to the composting of 165 tons of food waste in 2024.
“As we continue advancing our own sustainability journey, we remain deeply committed to enabling economic and environmental sustainability for our employees, customers and communities,” John Casella says.
More information about the awards, including video clips of 2025 award winners, can be found on the Casella Waste website.