City Honors Local Schools and Businesses for Recycling Programs
By Pasadena Independent
Published: Monday, December 14th, 2009
Outstanding Recycler Award Winners for 2009 are Art Center College of Design, Sequoyah School, Saint Philip the Apostle School, Waste Less Living, and Interior Removal Specialist, announces the city of Pasadena.
Awards are given each fall to promote excellent environmental and recycling programs established in the community. They were honored at Monday night’s City Council meeting.
Art Center College of Design was singled out as the overall recycler of the year for outstanding support and commitment to recycling. The college is developing a comprehensive sustainability plan to achieve a goal of zero waste in all operations. This year the college analyzed its North Campus solid waste stream to identify recyclables, reusables and compostable materials, then staff and students were trained how best to keep items out of the waste stream. The college also replaced its plastic food service ware with paper and bio-plastic. All food waste from campus cafeteria is composted off site.
Sequoyah School won the award for development of a reduction, reuse or recycling program in the commercial operation or nonprofit organization category. The school is active in reducing waste, conserving resources and promoting environmental stewardship and has integrated sustainability criteria into science curriculum. Its parking lots were redesigned to allow percolation, cool the surface with shade trees, and streamline traffic. Events are planned to have no waste and irrigation is being assessed for further efficiencies.
St. Philip the Apostle School won for creative reuse of common objects. A recent art contest had students drawing on canvas bags and attaching tags for grocery checkers to sign each time of use. The class that collected the most signatures won.
Waste Less Living, Inc. won for its education outreach that inspires environmental stewardship. The organization has developed an integrative compost waste management program for schools designed to reach a high level of waste diversion, with emphasis on reduction, identification, monitoring and off-site composting.
Interior Removal Specialist won in the category for outstanding solid waste collection or recycling hauler demonstrating innovative environmental practices and stewardship. IRS is the only company in Southern California that is recycling construction and demolition debris not just by weight, but by toxicity. The company’s drywall is sent to be used as a soil amendment, lumber is used as fuel and more than 400 tons of carpet squares have been donated for reuse by nonprofit organizations.
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