On Wednesday, June 25, 2008, MRC presented three awards at the MRC/Mid-Atlantic Solid Waste Association of North America Conference, held at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The Dwight Copenhaver Recycler of the Year Award was presented to James Fleming, a second grader at Piney Ridge Elementary School in Sykesville (Carroll County), for his efforts in educating his fellow classmates and local residents on the benefits of a comprehensive recycling program. James encouraged first his family and then his community to get involved in recycling and waste prevention. He appeared before the Sykesville Town Council and persuaded the Council to support a recycling poster contest at his school. The contest was a success, not only for the participants, but also for James Fleming, in that he accomplished his immediate goal of raising awareness of the immense benefits of recycling among his classmates, their families, and the community.

James Fleming accepts the Dwight Copenhaver Recycler of the Year Award
from MRC Chair, Bob Stumpff

The Dwight Copenhaver Award is presented to a Maryland resident who exhibits outstanding leadership for recycling and waste prevention. This award is named after a past Carroll County Recycling Coordinator.

Baltimore County’s Department of Public Works, Bureau of Solid Waste Management, won the 2008 Outstanding Government Leadership Award. This marks the fourth time that Baltimore County’s Bureau of Solid Waste Management has received this prestigious award. Mary Roper, Bureau Chief, accepted the award along with five other members of the Bureau’s staff. Among many Bureau initiatives MRC recognized, two of the most prominent are progress towards a new Ten Year Solid Waste Management Plan and a new residential marketing campaign featuring a new theme (“Your ‘Waste,’ Your Responsibility”) and logo.

Staff from the Baltimore County Bureau of Solid Waste Management accept MRC award. From left to right: Anne Marcher, Julie Roby, Mike Beichler, Charlie Reighart, Mary Roper, Tony Gulati, Bob Stumpff (MRC Chair).

The 2008 Outstanding Small Government Leadership Award was presented to the Solid Waste Management Division of the Cecil County Department of Public Works. Pete Bieniek, Chief of Solid Waste Management Division, and Tanya Adams, Solid Waste Management Division Recycling Coordinator, accepted the award on behalf of the County. The MRC recognized many Cecil County initiatives, which have helped the County to triple its recycling rate in the past three years.

Tanya Adams (left) and Pete Bieniek accept the Maryland Recyclers Coalition 2008 Small Government Leadership Award from MRC Chairman, Bob Stumpff.

The Outstanding Government Leadership Awards are presented to local, state, or federal government entities for excellence in advocating, implementing, operating, and otherwise promoting waste reduction and/or recycling in Maryland.