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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that seven organizations in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin have received WasteWise awards for their efforts in reducing waste going to landfills and incinerators for disposal. The awardees collectively diverted nearly 500,000 tons of material and saved more than $25 million in landfill fees in 2020 and 2021.
“[The] EPA congratulates each of the awardees and thanks them for being part of the solution,” says Debra Shore, the EPA regional administrator for the Great Lakes region. “Keeping waste out of landfills saves money and benefits the environment.”
The 2020 and 2021 awardees’ noteworthy accomplishments include streamlining operations to maximize the value of recyclable materials, implementing sustainable purchasing guidelines and establishing take-back programs with suppliers.
The 2021 WasteWise national data winners:
- Partner of the Year: Walgreens Boots Alliance, Deerfield, Illinois; and,
- Honorable Mention: ComEd, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.
The 2021 WasteWise national narrative winner:
- Sustainability Public Education: Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
The 2021 Regional WasteWise award winners:
Very Large Business Category: Kohl’s, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin;
Large Business Category: Steelcase, Grand Rapids, Michigan; and,
Small Business Category: ECOS-Earth Friendly Products, Addison, Illinois.
The 2020 WasteWise national data winners:
Very Large Business Category, Partner of the Year: Kohl’s; and
College/University Category, Partner of the Year: Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
The 2020 Regional WasteWise award, Small Business Category: Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
According to the EPA, over the past 27 years, WasteWise partners across the nation prevented and diverted almost 249 million tons of waste. Their efforts prevented more than 488 million tons of associated greenhouse gas emissions and saved more than $13.7 billion in landfill tipping fees.
For more information about each winner, click here.
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