In celebration of National Recycling Week, the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District announces the 2022 Recycling Heroes, who have served our communities to further recycling in our district. The Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District recognizes those organizations, schools, and individuals which have shown excellence in recycling in our community. Attached is the list of the “2022 Recycling Heroes” who made a difference in our district over the last year.
“We thank each one of these heroes, who support, educate and host recycling locations and all residents who recycle everyday. We salute their dedication to preserving materials, water and energy resources and making the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District the most beautiful district in all of Ohio,” said Jane Forrest Redfern, Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District Coordinator.
“One group of heroes we wish to recognize are the recycling and sanitation workers throughout the district, who worked every day during the pandemic. They did not get to work remotely, but were out in the weather thorough the entire time of quarantine and still work today. We salute these heroes for serving our community.”
Over the next month, the district will be distributing upcycled feed bags to recyclers at drop-off locations as a thank you for recycling and to eliminate the use plastic bags in the recycling stream. The feedbags were upcycled by a local artist and paid for by the Recycle Ohio grant and Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District.
The Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District’s mission is to provide for safe disposal of solid waste and recycling in both Athens and Hocking Counties. The Solid Waste District will announce their 2023 schedule of recycling events. The District is also soliciting input and comments on how to improve our programing for our upcoming new management plan. Information about public input sessions and surveys will be available in 2023.
2022 Athens-Hocking Recycling Heroes
All Recycling Workers and Sanitation Workers, who handled and worked throughout the COVID pandemic. They did not get to work remotely, but had to go to work every day to serve our community. We salute these incredible men and women who served all of us through a difficult time.
Mike Cooper, recently retired from the Athens City-County Health Department for his many years of service and for leading the tire recycling effort in Athens County. Since 2014, Mike has been instrumental in the no-fault tire cleanup projects in Athens County with 36 separate events, totaling ~178.68 tons of tires, which is comparable to ~17,868 passenger tire equivalents (PTE’s) (1 PTE = 20 lbs).
Wendy Hanna, recently retired from Hocking County Health Department. She is recognized for her years of service for encouraging safe and clean communities, recycling and tire collection programs.
Passion Works, Athens, County by upcycling otherwise discarded materials and produce environmentally responsible art and items. They create opportunities for all people to explore and socially connect through the process of making art, following the aesthetic lead, talents, and interests of people with developmental differences.
Logan Hocking High School, The Chieftain Complex, Hocking County for placing first of all schools in the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District. They recycled 61.28 Tons of mixed recycling materials in 2021.
The Plains Intermediate School, for placing first of all schools in Athens County in the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District. They recycled 33.77 tons of mixed recycling materials in 2021
Amesville Elementary School, Athens County for having the most recycling per student in 2021 than any other in the District with 177.73 pounds of mixed recycling per student.
Green Elementary School, Hocking County for having the most recycling per student in 2021 than any other in the District with 151.37 pounds of mixed recycling per student.
Jody Barnes and Aaron Dye of the Athens County Land Bank and their volunteers, who have been diverting demolition and materials from properties. The Land Bank has recycled more materials throughout the county including scrap metal, tires, plastic, paper, and materials for reuse.
Ohio University Campus Recycling for their ongoing effort to reduce, reuse and recycle on campus, assistance on recycling events and their work on Move-Out to reuse and recycle materials as the students move out of their dorms. For 2021, Ohio University composted 152.19 tons, recycled 783.94 tons of traditional recycling and 142.53 of special waste diverted from the landfill with a diversion rate of 42.21% for 2021.
Athens County Library System, Hocking County Health Department, Wal-Mart (Logan), Savings Hardware and Laurelville Library for hosting recycling locations for household batteries and cell phones at each of their locations and serving the public.
