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A Columbus law firm that has substantially reduced its paper work and the “ReStore” operated by the Columbus chapter of Habitat for Humanity top the 2008 Central Ohio Emeralds from SWACO. The awards are designed to promote Waste Reduction, Recycling and Litter Clean-up in Central Ohio. This year’s Emeralds were presented May 7, 2008 at the Hilton Inn-Easton at 11:30am.
“Congratulations to our winners and the nominees as well,” says SWACO Executive Director Ron Mills. “Our independent panel of judges tells me they had a tough time selecting the winning entries. I know that we will all be inspired by the green stories our winners have to tell. Their work will continue to show that going green isn’t hard once you commit to the process.”
Receiving the SWACO Board of Trustees Emerald award is the Columbus law firm of Luper, Neidenthal and Logan. The firm has designed proprietary software through which incoming mail is scanned into a digital format and sent to individual client files so there is no need for multiple paper copies. Other waste reduction efforts include; all attorney draft documents are on the computer and not printed, all faxes are sent and received electronically, all employees are required to print on both sides of the paper, and much more. The impact of these measures is shown in one survey that finds the average attorney uses 20,000 to 100,000 sheets of copy paper annually! Many of these practices and more have led the American Bar Association to certify Luper, Neidenthal, and Logan as the first Ohio A-B-A Climate Challenge partner.
The Emerald for Leadership goes to the “ReStore” of the Columbus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. This north side store collects donated usable leftovers from construction sites and then resells the products for new job sites. The income from the sale of insulation, tile, paneling, drywall and other building materials supports Habitat for Humanity’s mission of constructing affordable homes in Franklin County. “Restore-Columbus” diverted two to three-million pounds of material from Franklin County’s waste stream last year.
Columbus based PSB Company, a division of White Castle Systems has received the Emerald for Innovation. PSB designed a new paint spraying system that coats the panels for White Castle Restaurants. That process reduces by 17-tons the amount of waste sent to the landfill. It also brings a labor savings of 90-minutes per job. The company has also instituted other recycling programs which have resulted in a total waste reduction of 145 tons in 2007.
Two Emeralds have been presented in the category on Environmental Education. The first honoree is My House at Habitat Hollow” at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The staff of “My House” takes pride in showing how construction and our lives can blend in with the environment instead of invading it. Most of the building is made of recycled content products including the walls and roof. “My House” offers after school programming, family nights, guided tours, traveling story times, and more for kids of all ages. Of the adults who visited last year, 98% said they believed “My House” helps educate adults about recycling.
The second Emerald for Environmental Education goes to a research facility at Ohio State University. The William H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park provides teaching, research and more on wetland and river science, as well as ecological engineering.
This unique center offers the more than 2,300 visitors an opportunity to observe a diversity of plants and animals that many may otherwise not be able to see. In 2007, the Park undertook several significant cooperative activities including the monitoring of the effects of Dam removal on the Lower Olentangy River and a program that involves the restoration of the Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio River Basin.
The 2008 Emerald for Entrepreneurship goes to Dublin based “E-Cycle.” Since the company’s founding, E-cycle has collected and recycled over one-million cell phones and wireless accessories. That adds up to over 200 tons of “E-Scrap!” As that has happened, charities locally and across the country have benefited from the program set up by E-cycle.
In the Partnership category, the Emerald goes to “The Waste Not Center.” Over 100 businesses in Central Ohio work with the Center to divert from the landfill useable materials that artists, teachers, and church groups find helpful for their projects.
From retail displays to off-spec products to unused office supplies, The Waste Not Center collects it all from companies such as The Limited, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Hallmark. In doing so, The Center provides first hand lessons on recycling for businesses as well as those artists, teachers, and kids who design again from what otherwise might end up in SWACO’s Franklin County landfill. The average user of the Center puts back into circulation 75 pounds of material!
SWACO’s Third Annual Central Ohio Emeralds are presented by Ohio Mulch. The premier green honors program in Greater Columbus is supported by Southwest Airlines, Kurtz Brothers, Columbus Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch, The Other Paper and Columbus Monthly. The media sponsor is Sunny-95/WSNY-FM. The Emeralds honor communities, organizations, businesses, schools, and individuals in six categories having to do with waste reduction, recycling, and litter prevention.
SWACO is the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio. We believe today’s throwaways are the foundation for tomorrow. In doing so, we act as a catalyst to bring about innovative waste reduction and recycling projects. Under construction currently is SWACO’s Green Energy Center which will convert landfill gas into Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to fuel cars and medium weight trucks. Also under construction is the RASTA project which will mix post consumer polystyrene with cement to construct lightweight building panels that are a highly insulated, moisture proof, fire proof and termite resistant.
SWACO also provides consumers recycling opportunities around Franklin County (Ohio) through 200 recycling drop off-locations, at major sporting and entertainment venues, at Columbus City Schools, The Greater Columbus Arts Festival and other locations. SWACO provides leadership and advice for businesses wishing to begin recycling and waste reduction programs as well. We also operate the Franklin County Landfill, three transfer stations, and other programs. More on SWACO at www.swaco.org.
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