Winners of the 2011 Excellence in Recycling Awards were announced at the annual Illinois Recycling and Waste Management Conference and Trade show on June 6. The event is hosted by the Illinois Recycling Association (IRA), the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Illinois Counties Solid Waste Management Association (ILCSWMA) and the Illinois Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (IL SWANA).
The awards, sponsored by the DCEO, are designed to “recognize individuals, companies and nonprofits that have made outstanding achievements and contributions to the recycling and waste reduction industry,” according to a news release issued by the department.
“The recipients of our 2011 Excellence in Recycling awards are leading Illinois in innovative recycling and resource reclamation programs,” says Mike Mitchell, executive director of IRA. “Their accomplishments set the standards for implementing programs that work and are focused on making a real impact in improving recycling in Illinois.”
The 2011 award winners were:
- Lifetime of Achievement for Private Industry: Marsha Serlin, Founder & CEO, United Scrap Metals, Cicero, Ill.
- Lifetime of Achievement for Government Staff: Gary Mielke, Recycling Coordinator for Kane County, Ill.
- Outstanding Business Recycling Waste Reduction Program: Bunn O’ Matic Corp., Springfield, Ill.
- Recycler of the Year: Mel Nickerson, staff attorney, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Chicago
- Outstanding High School: Springfield High School
- Outstanding Recycling Education Program of the Year: Ogle County Solid Waste Management
- Outstanding Sustainable Community Training Program: Springfield Urban League Inc.
- Best Use of Recycled Material: Alpha Omega Plastics Co., Elk Grove Village, Ill.
- Outstanding Corporate Recycling Program: Appliance Recycling Centers of America Inc., Minneapolis
- Outstanding Rural Recycling Processors: Wecare Recycling, Carlinville, Ill.
- Outstanding Special Recycling Program: Luis Perez, Recycling Coordinator, Macon County Solid Waste Management Dept.
- Outstanding College and University Recycling Program: University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC)
- Outstanding Achievement in RecycleMania National Competition: Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill.
Recognition is based on activities or accomplishments completed within the past 18 months, with the exception of the Recycler of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
"Recycling and waste reduction efforts are often taken for granted and that is unfortunate, as recycling pays big dividends for the Illinois economy,” says Warren Ribley, Illinois DCEO director. “Recycling in this state is responsible for 111,500 direct, indirect and induced jobs and a payroll of $3.6 billion. These awards recognize these contributions to our economy and our environment.”
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