29th Annual CRA Awards
Each year, the Carolina Recycling Association honors top performers that advance waste reduction and recycling in the Carolinas. Award recipients were honored at the 29th Annual Conference. Continuing this year, the award categories were consolidated into a general pool and a panel of judges selected outstanding people, projects, and/or programs to recognize. There were six nominees that rose to the top with creative and new ways to approach recycling and help improve the way recycling and waste reduction happens in the Carolinas!
Brock Bailey
Brock Bailey is recognized for the massive impact that he had on advancing waste reduction at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park. Because of the provisions put in place in 2018, the CCUMP staff surpassed the 50% diversion goal it had set and diverted 72% of the waste. Over 44% of the waste was recycled and over 27% of the waste was composted. (Press Release)
City of Greensboro (NC) – Tori Carle
The #RecycleRight campaign project aimed to decrease contamination in recycling carts. The City used Mobile 311 software service for recycling truck drivers and the solid waste inspector. Recycling drivers have tablet mounts in their trucks and cameras over their hoppers. As recyclables fall from the carts into the truck, they watch for things like plastic bags, hoses, electronics, etc. If contaminants are identified, a tag is issued for a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd contamination notice. Within four months they have tagged 4,800 carts with a 1st violation and only 214 carts have been tagged with a 2nd violation. (Press Release)
City of Greenville (SC)
The City of Greenville invested in RVISION software so they could identify specific neighborhoods/homes that choose not to recycle, and use alternate methods to educate those residents. Staff made personal visits to over 200 homeowners that have a history of not putting out their recycling carts. This past year, there has been a 3% increase in recycling tonnage and a 25% increase in recycling participation since the new program launched in June 2016. (Press Release)
Mecklenburg County (NC)
Mecklenburg County’s VSQG Hazardous Waste Collection Events help small businesses overcome barriers so they can comply with Federal Law. This program helps protect our environment by providing a financially viable option for businesses to dispose of hazardous waste. Participating businesses reported a 20% – 25% savings over quotes received from comparable hazardous waste disposal companies. A total of 4,961 pounds of hazardous waste was collected, ranging from lab chemicals to Florescent light tubes. (Press Release)
New Hanover County (NC)
New Hanover County’s Department of Environmental Management decided that action had to be taken after two consecutive waste audits demonstrated that over half of the waste being disposed of in the county landfill was compostable. They implemented a program so that all the pre-consumer food waste from University of North Carolina – Wilmington’s dining hall is processed through the system, in addition to feed stocks from restaurants, private individuals, and farmer’s markets. Finished compost is screened, tested, and made available to local organic farmers, county parks, and gardens. (Press Release)
Zero Waste Wolfpack
NC State University’s Zero Waste Wolfpack (ZWW) program reduces waste and promotes sustainability at Wolfpack Athletics events by educating fans about how to recycle and compost both in the stadium and at home. Since its launch in 2015, the diversion rate inside Carter-Finley Stadium has improved from 18% in 2015 to 2018’s rate of 44%. (Press Release)