SAN DIEGO–Mayor Jerry Sanders congratulates winners of the 20th annual Waste Reduction and Recycling Awards for the efforts and accomplishments of their businesses and organizations in protecting our environment and conserving natural resources.
The Waste Reduction and Recycling Awards program, sponsored by the City’s Environmental Services Department (ESD), honored 32 local companies and organizations for their successful and innovative waste reduction programs that significantly contribute to diverting waste from area landfills.
The waste diversion programs of these businesses and organizations contributed to the City of San Diego being able to decrease the amount of trash brought into the Miramar Landfill. This decrease, coupled with a recent height increase agreement with the Marine Corp Air Station – Miramar, and two recycling ordinances has resulted in the lifespan of the landfill being extended from 2012 to at least 2022.
The 2012 Waste Reduction and Recycling Awards categories: Recycling Partner is awarded to a business or organization that has worked closely with ESD and whose vision, commitment and advocacy for the environment positively impacts San Diego’s communities. Recycler of the Year awards are the highest honor for the most comprehensive, innovative and/or improved recycling programs. Director’s Recycling Awards are given to companies for their excellent waste reduction and diversion efforts.
“While it’s our job to keep the Miramar Landfill open for as long as we can and to protect the environment, we know it can’t do it alone. Businesses and organizations like those showcased in this program have played an exemplary role in achieving the City’s waste reduction goals,” said Mayor Jerry Sanders
The 2011 Recycling Partner Award was given to: The New Children’s Museum: Although a newcomer to the downtown area, The New Children’s Museum was quick to jump to the forefront of bringing awareness to the issue of trash and the importance of waste reduction and recycling. Their current exhibit, aptly named, “TRASH” provides visitors, young and old, the opportunity to see the effects of litter on, not only our community, but the world in general. This type of outreach and education is vital for our Waste Diversion and Recycling Programs to be successful.
The Recycler of the Year Awards were presented to Albertson’s. This past year, the supermarket chain implemented an aggressive Organics Diversion Program at their 13 stores in the City of San Diego. This new program complimented their already successful recycling programs that divert materials such as cardboard, plastics, paper and Styrofoam, among other items. They also initiated copper recycling. These efforts go a long way in diverting waste from the landfill, as well as saving the company money.
General Dymanics/NASSCO: The company has made recycling a culture, and with over 3,500 workers this is no small feat. But NASSCO has adopted Recycling practices that involve everyone in their organization. This has not only produced employee participation, but generated new ideas and enhancements to their already successful program. We applaud their efforts and their leadership.
Grand Del Mar: This is a first time applicant with an impressive program. Our judges were particularly impressed with their broad recycling programs that include the usual items such as paper, plastics and glass, but also includes e-waste, corks, and used kitchen oil. The Grand Del Mar joined our Food Waste Recycling Program last year sending between 12-16 tons of organic material to the Miramar Greenery every month.
Hilton Bayfront: Another first-time applicant, this high rise hotel has found numerous ways to not only recycle waste, but to eliminate the use of some items as well. One unique way is the use of water dispenser to reduce the use of plastic bottles and using glass or china instead of disposable plates and drink ware.
Navy – Region Southwest: The Navy’s Sustainable Solid Waste Program continues to improve its highly successful program and minimize the amount of waste generated in the San Diego area. The Navy has increased the materials it diverts from our area landfills and has found waste to conserve other natural resources through water and energy conservation efforts. They always do an incredible job and we are proud to recognize them for their efforts.
Point Loma Nazarene University: The university has consistently been innovative it finding ways to divert waste. From reducing the use of paper cups and paper towels, to starting dorm and office composting programs, the university has instilled a culture of minimizing waste by its students and staff.
Presidio Place: We really enjoy seeing residential complexes do their part in waste diversion as these are residents that have invested time and effort and bought into their programs. One unique way is by holding garage sales, where they are able to give new life to items that would otherwise end up at the landfill or occupying space in a closet or storage facility.
Qualcomm, Inc.: Again, another big company doing new and innovative things to earn them yet another Recycler of the Year Award. Among their accomplishments in the past year includes quarterly e-waste events for their employees that generated almost 42,000 pounds. As a company, the recycled almost 500,000 pound of e-waste last year alone.
San Diego Convention Center Corporation: Work continues as expansion plans are underway and waste diversion is still a top priority. But their also making it a priority for clients through “green” reports after their events that illustrate how they reduced waste using the Convention Centers practices. Priceless outreach by the San Diego Convention Center.
San Diego International Airport: If you’ve been out to the airport, you’ve seen a lot of construction at their facility as well. With about 5,500 tons of waste generated from their expansion projects, they have managed to divert a whopping 94% from area landfills. Along with their many other recycling, energy and resource conservation programs, they continue to be San Diego’s premier ambassador as visitors arrive and depart America’s Finest City.
San Diego Padres – Petco Park: Longtime partners, Petco Park and The Padres organization have enjoyed huge success in their recycling programs. Just this past year, they diverted 631 tons of recyclables from the landfill, an increase of 56 tons over the previous year. As always, their community outreach inspires and educates fans to recycle as well.
Sea World: Always known worldwide for their conservation efforts, SeaWorld is leading by example. Whether by eliminating plastic bags at their shops, or by re-using packaging material eliminating the need to buy their own, SeaWorld’s waste diversion programs are top notch.
Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina: Another of our recent additions to our Food Waste Recycling Program, the Sheraton is turning over 250 tons of organic waste into compost annually. The hotel hosted a zero-waste meeting for it sister properties of over 1,000 hotels, to showcase their accomplishments including a paperless trade show.
San Diego Zoo Global: The San Diego Zoo continues to improve their Green programs. Composting was an area where significant improvement was demonstrated, especially at the Zoo’s other location, Safari Park. Over 90% of their food waste is composted at this facility. Of course, San Diego zoo is a leader in the field on environmental awareness and they are commended for their efforts.
Director’s Recycling Award:
Agradis Allied Waste Amylin Pharmeceuticals Bayside at the Embarcadero Crowne Plaza Hanalei San Diego Cubic Defense Applications Feeding America San Diego Goodwill Industries Hamilton Sunstrand Hewlett-Packard San Diego KCI-Kyocera Northrop Grumman Tactical Pitzer La Jolla SAIC SDSU UCSD VA SD Healthcare Systems Von’s Supermarkets
The City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department is charged with refuse collection and disposal, recycling and environmentally sound landfill management to meet the City’s long-term disposal needs. The department also oversees the City’s management of energy use, and explores innovative options for energy independence and sustainability.
For more information about the City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Awards or establishing business recycling programs, please contact ESD’s Customer Service at (858) 694-7000, or visit the website at www.recyclingworks.com.
