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Mahoning officials honor groups for recycling efforts
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Three Mahoning County entities have received awards for their efforts to recycle, reuse and reduce waste.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 WasteWise Gold Achievement Award was given to Trinity Lutheran Church of Sebring, the Mahoning County Green Team and Damascus Elementary School in Damascus during Tuesday’s Mahoning County commissioners meeting.
Issuing the award was Jacob Hassan, an environmental scientist and community recycling coordinator for the EPA’s Region 6, which is based in Chicago and covers six states.
It’s rare for one county to receive three such awards in the same year, Hassan noted.
“I’m just thrilled that all of the little things the people in our congregation do are being recognized,” said Kristine Shoemaker, a member of Trinity’s stewardship committee.
Shoemaker noted that her church began recycling efforts about five years ago and has received ideas and support from the Green Team. A grant allowed the church to use all recycled paper, she said, adding that this was Trinity’s first WasteWise award.
Damascus Elementary and the Green Team each have received three, noted Kim Lewis, a Green Team manager.
The elementary school, which has an enrollment of 416 students, serves as a collection center for household batteries and has partnered with a recycling coordinator to pick up food and beverage containers. Last year, the school recycled 739 pounds of the materials. In addition, residents recycled 326 pounds of batteries, according to a press release.
Also in 2009, area residents dropped off 20 pairs of eyeglasses at a collection site in the school as part of a program to collect used glasses for those who are visually impaired.
Last year, the Green Team, through its countywide school-paper recycling program, collected more than 5 million pounds of corrugated cardboard and other sources of fiber, noted Jim Petuch, director. In addition, he said, nearly 3.2 million pounds of magazines, newspapers, office paper and paperboard were collected through its curbside program.
To further reduce paper use, the Green Team switched to an online newsletter, Petuch said.