Recyclers snag two golds

Staff Report

The University’s Division of Recoverable and Disposable Resources won two gold awards in the 2001 Technical Excellence Awards program, sponsored by the Solid Waste Association of North America to recognize achievement in operation, design, efficiency and overall integrated management style.

The University’s recycling program won a gold award for waste reduction, and its public education program tied with an entry from Sioux City, Iowa, for a gold award in communication, education and marketing. U.Va. Recycling is the only competitor ever to have won two gold awards in the same year, an association spokesperson noted.

In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that U.Va. is among 54 organizations nationwide that will be recognized with a “Program Champion” award at a ceremony Nov. 14 in Washington. The EPA specifically cited U.Va.’s outreach program, reusable office supply exchange, student move-out program, and yard-waste composting efforts.

The current recycling rate at U.Va. is almost 40 percent of total waste, the highest rate ever at the University and far beyond the mandated 25 percent for state institutions, according to manager Dennis Clark.

Earlier this year, U.Va.’s recycling program won Virginia Recycling Association’s Environmental Excellence award for Institutional Recycling Program of the Year.