MARC News

MARC Solid Waste Management District 2011 Annual Meeting

December 9, 2011

2011 Special Recognition Award recipients

The MARC Solid Waste Management District held its Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Ennovation Center in Independence, Mo. The district recognized several individuals and organizations that have made notable contributions to regional waste management and recycling efforts.

2011 Special Recognition Award recipients:

*Elected Official:*	Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
*Public Employee:*	Cindy Kemper, Johnson County, Kan., Environment
*Individual Supporter:*	Dan McGraw
*Environmental Educator:*	Sadie Gardner, Bridging The Gap
*Green Event:*	Overland Park Recycling Extravaganza
*Waste Industry:*	Ripple Glass, L.L.C.
*Innovative/Outstanding Program:*	Johnson County Backyard Composting Education Program

Fourteen communities that participated in this year's Recycling Challenge for Local Governments were also recognized for their waste diversion efforts and activities. The Recycling Challenge is an ongoing district initiative that aims to help the region achieve the interim goal of 40 percent waste diversion by 2013. District staff supported the challenge with planning briefs, community profiles and outreach assessments.

Nine cities and counties were also commended for their creative efforts as part of the "Recycling Rivalry," a friendly competition among local governments organized by the district to raise awareness about waste reduction and recycling among staff and residents. Coinciding with America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, activities included Clean Your Files Day or collection events for glass recycling, household hazardous waste, e-waste, and paper shredding.

District staff spent much of the past year working with local governments, providing them with resources to increase access and participation to key services such as curbside recycling and yard waste. The district also continues to promote sustainable solid waste management — an integrated approach which emphasizes waste minimization and diversion as tactics to conserve natural resources, protect existing landfill capacity, and stimulate a vibrant “green” economy. By collaborating with public and private partners, the region is moving towards the goal of 80 percent of waste diverted from area landfills by 2023.

Among the district's 2011 activities:

The district launched a series of informal recycling luncheons to give representatives from business and government opportunities to network and improve waste reduction and recycling efforts. Three luncheons were held on the topics of recycling at work, special collections, and sustainable landscape and yard waste management. The district plans to continue organizing these luncheons throughout 2012.
The district awarded $412,000 in FY11 grant funds for waste reduction and recycling projects, including parks and special event recycling projects and a number of public education activities.
Thirty-four communities participated in the 2011 Household Hazardous Waste program. This past year's program is on track to exceed one million pounds collected at the two permanent centers in Kansas City, Mo., and Lee's Summit and the 11 regional mobile events. About 95 percent of the collected material is recovered for reuse, recycling and alternative energy.

The meeting also included a panel discussion on local government waste management activities. Local officials discussed their communities' successful policies and actions that can serve as potential benchmarks for greater waste reduction. Panelists included:

Kent Seyfried, City of Olathe, Kan.
Julie Coon, Johnson County, Kan.
Kara Taylor, City of Lee's Summit, Mo.
Kathy Rose, City of Riverside, Mo.

More photos from the event are available on our Flickr account»

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