ANOKA, Minn. – (May 22, 2018) – Anoka County Recycling & Resource Solutions recently held its 29th annual Recycling Recognition Awards ceremony. The event recognized municipalities, haulers, and service providers who assisted Anoka County residents with recycling 233,000 tons of materials in 2017, resulting in 53% of waste generated in the county being recycled, more than 20,000 tons over the previous year. Together, county and municipal staff and other partners increased information available to residents about waste reduction, organics collection, recycling and improved recycling opportunities available to county residents.
The theme of the event focused on ‘30 years of recycling’, its advancements, and to celebrate what has been achieved over the past three decades.
Businesses and schools were recognized for their exemplary efforts to divert waste and increase recycling. DaVinci Academy of Arts and Science and Anoka Ramsey Community College were the two schools recognized for achieving high recycling rates; DaVinci Academy achieved a whopping 93% waste diversion rate. Two business recipients were also recognized for their high increase in recycling, which continues moving forward: Bona Brothers Automotive in Fridley is now diverting 19,000 pounds of recyclables each year, and Northern Technologies Int’l Corp. is now diverting 40,700 pounds of recyclables and organics each year from their location in Circle Pines.
The communities of Anoka County were then recognized for their many advancements and achievements to improve recycling and collection of organics throughout the past year; particularly the increase in organics collection drop-off opportunities that became available to residents. Along with recycling efforts, reuse efforts were acknowledged. Bikes, textiles and household goods are collected at municipal drop-offs and reused throughout the community
The following individuals and/or organizations were designated “Recycling Champions” for their efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible: Nelson & Marta Aguilar, Michaela Dickson, Catherine Dickson, Cyndi Cummings, Mo Murphy and Chris Strouth, Scott Skaja, Beverly Praml, Allison Muotka, Jeremiah Laughlin, Justin Navratil, Kathy Petron, Audrey Estrada, Dallas Jelmberg, Dale Schultze, Lisa Jacobson, Southern Anoka Community Assistance, Mike Maher of Springbrook Nature Center, Ham Lake Senior Center and First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights.
One final award was given to outgoing Commissioner Jim Kordiak for his many years of service to the County regarding solid waste and recycling issues. He chaired several waste management committees within Anoka County as well as represented Anoka County on regional and national waste management issues.
