Tennessee’s State Employee Recycling Program Receives Top EPA Wastewise Award for Fifth Consecutive Year

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the State Employee Recycling Program have received for the fifth consecutive year the State Government Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Tennessee’s State Employee Recycling Program is one of only nine programs and organizations nationwide recognized with a WasteWise Partner of the Year Award from EPA in 2007.

“I’m pleased the Environmental Protection Agency has again recognized the commitment of Tennessee state employees to recycling and waste reduction,” said Governor Phil Bredesen.  “I encourage all Tennesseans and employers in both the public and private sectors to continue to focus on how we can better protect our natural resources.”

The State Employee Recycling Program, coordinated by Environment and Conservation’s Office of Environmental Assistance, continues to expand its waste prevention and recycling efforts. With 22,955 state employees participating, 19 new locations were added in 2006 and 2007 to the more than 117 buildings already taking part in the program.  One unique element of the state’s waste reduction effort is the Green Cubicle Program, which sets aside space for the collection of non-traditional items, such as clothing, coat hangers, eyeglasses and greeting cards, for reuse, donation and recycling.

Since its inception in 1990 through 2007, state employees recycled 15,138.5 tons of mixed office paper, saving $454,155 in disposal costs and receiving approximately $129,884 in recycling revenue.  These recycling funds are deposited in the Solid Waste Management Fund.

WasteWise is a free and voluntary partnership program that was launched by EPA in 1994. The program provides guidance and recognition to nearly 1,900 participating organizations that are working to find practical methods to reduce municipal solid waste and to improve financial performance. For more information about EPA’s WasteWise program, please visit the WasteWise Web site at www.epa.gov/wastewise or contact the WasteWise Helpline at (800) EPA-WISE (372-9473).

For information about Tennessee’s State Employee Recycling Program, visit www.tdec.net/ea/serp.