Napa recognizes loca l busineses for exceptional Recycling and Waste Reduction J U LY / AUGU S T 2 0 1 3 51 Here in the Napa community there are many positive examples of activities and efforts that residents and business owners undertake to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and to maximize the quantity of materials reused and recycled. Last year in Napa alone, over 120,000 tons of materials were recycled or composted at the Napa Recycling & Composting Facility. The work of some local organizations in this area is really remarkable, and for the past seven years both the City of Napa and Napa County have been recognizing commercial establishments that truly rise to the top when it comes to waste reduction and recycling. On April 4, 2013, twenty-two local organizations were recognized for their outstanding waste reduction and recycling practices at the Seventh Annual Recycling Leadership Awards, held at Silverado Resort. Mayor Jill Techel was on hand to present the awards to the City organizations, and Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht presented the awards to Napa County recipients. The City awards winners were selected based on a combination of 1) field surveys that measure the amount of non-recyclable trash in the recycling bins as well as recyclables in the trash, and 2) undertaking proactive recycling and waste reduction efforts. The winners are among the best in the City in maximizing their recycling, thereby preventing recyclables from ultimately ending up in a landfill. For example, Trader Joe’s was recognized for having one of the largest trash bill reductions in the City of Napa as it has worked to reduce the total amount of waste sent to landfill and improve recycling. This work resulted in a 22% reduction in its trash bill between 2011 and 2012. Another winner was West Park Elementary School, which launched an aggressive waste reduction effort by strengthening on-campus recycling and composting lunch waste. This school has greatly reduced the amount of recyclable materials that make it into the trash, and is also proactively educating students on waste reduction and recycling opportunities. Each recipient received an award made from recycled glass and certificates from Congressman Mike Thompson, State Senator Lois Wolk, and State Assemblymember Mariko Yamada. The City of Napa also awarded their outstanding recyclers with a cumulative total of $8,000 in cash awards. Funding for the prizes comes from Napa Recycling and Waste Services as part of its contract with the City of Napa. South County recycling leaders were also recognized for their efforts to expand recycling and composting programs, or for adopting other unique approaches to reducing waste and litter, such as Kayak NV’s Napa River cleanup adventures. The event was held at Silverado Resort and Spa, also one of the Unincorporated County awardees. Due to its very robust food composting and recycling programs, the Resort prevented 83% of its discarded materials from going to the landfill in 2012. Ray Jacquez, the Resort’s Executive Steward, and Jeffrey Jake, the Executive Chef, are passionate about waste reduction and believe that being very supporting of staff helps keep the program strong and successful. While the City and County work with multiple businesses, multi-family complexes and schools throughout the year on waste reduction and recycling issues, the annual recycling awards event provides a fun and official way to recognize the true leaders in the Napa community. Starting this summer, the City will be offering even more incentives in the form of $500 stipends to businesses located within the City limits that choose to complete the Green Business Program certification. The stipend will be for the recycling and water conservation efforts that are required as part of the Green Business Program certification process. For more information on the Green Business Program, visit www.nctpa.net/greenbusiness or contact Danielle Schmitz at (707) 259-5968. For up-to-date recycling information and answers to your recycling questions, please visit www.naparecycling.com. Contact: cshoop@cityofnapa.org (707) 257-9902
NVLife_JulyAug_2013
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