TN Department of Environment and Conservation Receives Top EPA Honors
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 | 09:51am
State Employee Recycling Program Inducted into WasteWise Hall of Fame
NASHVILLE – The Department of Environment and Conservation has been inducted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WasteWise Hall of Fame for its efforts to reduce waste through the State Employee Recycling Program. EPA presented the award today to Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill at the kickoff of the Symposium on Recycling and the Economy in Memphis. The symposium was organized by TDEC, EPA, the Southeast Recycling Development Council and the Tennessee Recycling Coalition.
For six consecutive years, TDEC and the State Employee Recycling Program have been recognized with EPA’s WasteWise State Government Partner of the Year Award, recognizing Tennessee state employees for their commitment to waste reduction and responsible recycling.
The Hall of Fame is the highest honor awarded to WasteWise Partners and indicates a continued commitment to progressive waste reduction activities. WasteWise created the Hall of Fame in 2003 to recognize partners that continually excel in waste reduction efforts, provide ongoing support for the WasteWise program and to serve as role models for other partners.
“We are honored to be a part of EPA’s WasteWise Hall of Fame and proud of the hard work put forth in organizing such a successful effort,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau. “The volume of material collected through the State Employee Recycling Program, along with ongoing recycling outreach and education, demonstrate Tennessee state government’s strong commitment to improve waste reduction and to better preserve our natural resources.”
The Department of Environment and Conservation joins a prestigious roster of previous WasteWise Hall of Fame inductees, including Anheuser-Busch, General Motors, Pitney Bowes, Inc., Verizon Communications and The Walt Disney Company.
“This award is in recognition of TDEC’s impressive efforts,” said EPA’s Jon Johnston, branch chief for Region IV. “By partnering with EPA's WasteWise program, TDEC is setting a standard for environmental leadership for state governments across the nation.”
The State Employee Recycling Program, coordinated by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, continues to expand its waste prevention and recycling efforts. With more than 32,000 state employees participating, nearly 800 tons of mixed office paper was recycled in 2010, generating more than $28,000 in revenue and saving almost $23,000 in landfill costs.
Since the program’s inception in 1990, state employees have recycled 17,618 tons of mixed office paper, saving $525,000 in landfill disposal costs while generating nearly $195,000 in recycling revenue. These recycling revenues are deposited in the Solid Waste Management Fund, which is used to help assist local communities in their solid waste reduction efforts.
The program also targets plastic and aluminum recycling, as well as non-traditional items,such as clothing, coat hangers, eyeglasses and greeting cards, for reuse, donation and recycling. For more information about Tennessee’s State Employee Recycling Program, visit the Web site at www.tn.gov/environment/ea/serp.
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 contact the WasteWise Helpline at (800) EPA-WISE (372-9473).
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