New Jersey recycling leaders awarded for 2008

Recycling awards were presented on behalf of New Jersey Commissioner Lisa Jackson during the 28th New Jersey Recycling Symposium and Awards Luncheon. The DEP and the Association of New Jersey Recyclers co-sponsor the event each year.

The awards ceremony recognizes the vision, innovation and leadership of individuals, organizations, businesses and government entities that have taken notable steps to boost recycling during the past year.

Winners of the 2008 Recycling Awards are as follows:

Institution category winner: Lavallette Elementary School, Lavallette - The school implemented a recycling program that is a model for team work. The school went beyond traditional recycling of bottles, cans, paper and cardboard by also recycling food scraps, printer cartridges, batteries, computers, and cell phones.

Business category winner: Anheuser-Busch, Inc. - Anheuser-Busch is one of the largest recyclers of aluminum cans in the state and reclaims nearly all of its waste and byproducts. For example, the Newark brewery recycled 293 million pounds of its 295 million pounds of waste last year. The company also encourages its employees to participate in the company’s efforts through a computer-based and paperless suggestion program.

Government category winner: Trap Rock Industries, New Jersey Department of Transportation and Rutgers University - Kingston-based Trap Rock, working in conjunction with the New Jersey DOT and Rutgers, developed a process that recycled more than 80,000 tires in repaving of Interstate 95. They subsequently developed specifications for continued use of the material.

Leadership category winner: Janet Pellichero, Princeton Township recycling coordinator - Under Pellichero’s leadership, Princeton Township achieved a 49 percent recycling rate in 2007. She routinely visits schools and businesses to evaluate recycling compliance. Recycling containers are regularly maintained at all township parks and recreation fields. Pellichero implemented a community paper-shredding program, an e-waste recycling program and disseminates recycling information to the community through web sites and mailings.

Rising star category winner: Rowan University, Glassboro - Rowan developed a community-wide effort through its students that has consistently been recognized with national environmental awards. The school was the first institution of higher education in New Jersey to convert to single-stream recycling. With its recycling committee, student recycling team and President’s Council for Sustainability, the university is a model for recycling.

Rising star category winner: Thomas Quinn, Mansfield Township School District - As facilities manager for the Mansfield Township School District in Burlington County, Quinn has developed a “Green Team” approach to generate staff support for improving the district’s recycling efforts. The district has now diverted most of its recyclables from the waste stream.

Educational program category winner: Ocean County Master Composting Program - Under the auspices of the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management, the program is a growing network of volunteers that spreads awareness of the benefits of home composting free of charge to county residents. It now has about 50 active members.

Volunteer citizen category winner: Megan Giulianelli - The part-time teacher and mother of a fifth-grader spearheaded an environmental filmmaking project at the Glen Ridge Upper Elementary School. Designed to appeal to children in Kindergarten through eighth grade, the film provides practical tips on how to recycle. The film was released on-line and on DVD.