PA CleanWays Inc. has recently been honored with a Waste Watcher award for its recycling education efforts.
The award was presented to Board chairperson, Jim Bendel, at the organization’s annual dinner held recently in Blairsville.
Sponsored by the Professional Recyclers of PA, the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association and the Keystone Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America, the Waste Watcher program aims to recognize outstanding recycling, waste reduction, reuse and composting programs from across the state.
According to a recent press release, PA CleanWays, headquartered in Greensburg, was recognized in the recycling education category for its Litter IQ Board and its Litter Hawk Youth Litter Art contest. This is the second year the organization has won an award for its efforts. In 2003, the organization was honored in the same category.
“We congratulate PA CleanWays for their commitment to recycling education,” PROP Executive Director John Frederick said.
Now in its seventh year, the 2004 Waste Watcher awards will recognize a total of 51 winners for their contributions to Pennsylvania’s recycling industry. Awards are being presented to municipalities, counties, private businesses, sports teams and community organizations in 13 categories: Curbside Recycling; Drop-Off Recycling; Pay-As-You-Throw Programs; Special Collections; Commercial/Institutional Recycling; Recycling Education Programs; Materials Processing Facilities; Recycled Product Manufacturing; Composting Facility; Home Composting; Reuse; Green Procurement; and Multiple Year.
PA CleanWays is a non-profit volunteer organization that empowers people to eliminate illegal dumping and littering in Pennsylvania. PA CleanWays of Blair County is an independent chapter of PA CleanWays, Inc.
The PA CleanWays website explains that the Blair County chapter helps to organize cleanups of dumped-upon areas, to restore the beauty of these areas, and to keep them trash-free with the support of local government, businesses, community sponsors, and area residents.
The chapter also coordinates and facilitates the adoption of non-state-maintained roads, parks, streams, trails, and other areas. They promote recycling and assist people in finding affordable convenient alternatives for the disposal of problem items like large appliances, tires, and batteries.
Previously the chapter held a clean up day at Reclamere, in Tyrone, encouraging area residents to drop off unwanted appliances so that they could be disposed of properly.
PA CleanWays of Blair County additionally works to increase public awareness through educational publications, displays, and presentations.
The goal of this chapter is to work together with the community to make Blair County the best it can be.
The Blair County chapter holds monthly meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month. The public is invited to attend.
For more information about PA CleanWay’s Blair County Chapter, call 946-7290. Interested individuals may also visit www.pacleanways.org. Membership applications are also available online.
