Every spring, Metro Waste Authority recognizes businesses, institutions and individuals for the positive environmental impacts they have on our communities. The Annual Dinner is a time for Metro Waste Authority and attendees to honor those who constantly work to take care of central Iowa's environment. And it's a time for us to acknowledge and be inspired by the energy, determination and creativity of our environmental stewards. Please help us celebrate our recent winners by reading more about their contributions below.
To learn more about the 2010 Environmental Stewardship Winners click here.
2005 Winners
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. working to preserve a piece of Iowa's natural heritage, park rangers, staff, and volunteers recycle the remnants of modern life that find their way to the refuge: paper, cardboard, oil, pallets, batteries, pop cans, bottles, computers, cars, combines, grain bins, and tires. They also compost on site and have recycling displays and information posted for visitors.
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Mike Nicodemus, Windsor School
Recycling and waste prevention are how things are done at Windsor School. Collection containers are throughout the school, and employees make double-sided copies, use reusable interoffice envelopes, store files exclusively on computer instead of paper form, reuse boxes as packaging containers and use re-washable dishware and utensils. According to Principal Barry Jones, one person stands out in leading the efforts to involve students in the program. That person is fourth grade teacher Mike Nicodemus. Day by day, Mike stresses the importance of recycling by involving every one of his students with the school-wide recycling program. He is creating a youthful community of recyclers by emphasizing the importance of being good stewards and valuing natural resources. Through Mike's efforts, the Windsor School student body and staff have become aware of the importance of volunteering and recycling.
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Shani Ortyl, CH2M Hill, Inc.
Shani Ortyl, CH2M Hill, Inc. office administrator for the Des Moines office of CH2M Hill, Inc. CH2M Hill is a global firm that provides engineering, construction, operations, communication, security, and environmental services. A responsibility and conservation-minded corporate ethic drives environmental programs practiced by their employees, but often, they require a dedicated employee volunteer to take the lead. Shani heads CH2M Hills's Green Team as part of their Northeast Region of 23 offices. As the company's recycling coordinator she oversees the recycling of paper, toner cartridges, bottles, cans, batteries, CD's, and packaging materials. Her efforts on behalf of the company have spurred increased efforts to buy recycled office products and expand recycling both at the office and at employee's homes. She has organized her office's participation in World Water Monitoring Day, Earth Day and Arbor Day activities. Shani organizes fundraising activities to support CH2M Hill's recycling and environmental projects such as seedling planting and stream cleanups. Shani Ortyl proudly supports her company's global sustainable solutions initiatives and is well deserving of the title "recycling champion."
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Tone's a Subsidiary of ACH Food Companies, Inc.
Tone's continues to recycle over a dozen different commodities; last year, they recycled 850 tons of materials. An additional 500 tons per year was diverted from the landfill to supplemental animal feed and biomass fuel production. Expanding their environmental focus from recycling and reuse to energy, Tones' now saves over 60 percent per year on its annual lighting costs, which has reduced their air emissions by an equivalent of 1,350 tons of carbon dioxide, carbon, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. This is equivalent of removing 175 cars from the road or saving 89,336 gallons of gasoline year.
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