April 18, 2011 -- People who love the environment came together Sunday, April 17 to celebrate Earth Day and recognize the local municipalities, residents and organizations that are making Westchester a cleaner and greener place to live.
More than 1,000 residents turned out to enjoy a full line-up of “green” activities at the annual event at Kensico Dam Plaza.
They listened to Annie and the Natural Wonder Band and Solar Punch, watched an energy show to see how wind and solar energy are transformed into usable “green” power, and visited more than 40 informational exhibits.
In his remarks, County Executive Robert P. Astorino pointed out that Westchester County is continuing to reduce the amount of garbage disposed of by residents and businesses, and setting an example when it comes to recycling.
“Looking at the 2010 recycling rates, we are once again among the highest performers in the region,” he said. “Westchester is recycling about half of its garbage and that rate far exceeds the EPA’s national goal of 35 percent.”
Astorino noted that the county and its taxpayers save $85 for every ton of garbage that it doesn’t have to incinerate. Last year, the amount of municipally collected garbage was 818,000 tons – down from 842,000 in 2009. The amount recycled was 403,000 tons. The recycled materials get sold for cash and the non-recycled materials get turned into electricity in the county’s waste-to-energy facility.
The following municipalities, schools and residents were recognized at the Earth Day celebration for their environmental achievements, community recycling programs and successful grass-roots efforts:
Municipalities
- Village of Bronxville for being one of Westchester County’s 2010 “top three” municipalities with the highest overall recycling rate of 71%
- Village of Scarsdale for being one of Westchester County’s 2010 “top three” municipalities with the highest overall recycling rate of 68%
- Town of Bedford for being one of Westchester County’s 2010 “top three” municipalities with the highest overall recycling rate of 68%
- Town of Mount Pleasant for conducting a model organic yard waste “give-back” program providing usable gardening material for local residents
- Town of Eastchester for conducting a model organic yard waste “give-back” program providing usable gardening material for local residents
- Village of Pleasantville for conducting a model organic yard waste “give-back” program providing usable gardening material for local residents
- City of Peekskill for producing comprehensive solid waste and recycling information materials for local residents
- City of White Plains for producing comprehensive solid waste and recycling information materials for local residents
- Town of Yorktown for producing comprehensive solid waste and recycling information materials for local residents
- Town of North Castle and the North Castle Recycling Committee for hosting “Zero Waste Day” events, a program providing residents with alternative resources to donate or recycle items otherwise destined for disposal as solid waste
- Town of New Castle for model thoroughness in reporting a 2010 Annual Recycling and Solid Waste Management Update to the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities
- Village of Ossining for model thoroughness in reporting a 2010 Annual Recycling and Solid Waste Management Update to the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities
- Town of Mamaroneck for collecting vegetable oil locally for refinement and beneficial reuse
- Village of Mamaroneck for collecting vegetable oil locally for refinement and beneficial reuse
- Village of Tuckahoe for collecting vegetable oil locally for refinement and beneficial reuse
Schools, Students & Teachers
- Fourth Grade Teachers and Students of Edgewood Elementary School, Scarsdale,
for development and implementation of an exemplary Earth Education “Ecosystem Project” - Janet McKenna, Social Worker at Graham Elementary School, Mount Vernon,
for design and leadership of the school’s gardening programs and recycling initiatives - Administration, Teachers, Students & Parents of the Rye Country Day School, Rye, for development of a comprehensive school sustainability program
Local Green Initiatives
The Business Council of Westchester and Con Edison for development of the Westchester Green Business Challenge, Phase II, an initiative designed to educate and encourage local businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve operational efficiency and save money- Wheelabrator Westchester for proven efficiency in plant operation, participation and generosity toward the development of the Charles Point Industrial Park in Peekskill
- The Bedford 2020 Coalition of the Town Bedford, NY for development of the Bedford Sustainable Community Initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020 and create a sustainable community that conserves its natural resources
Notable Mentions
- Pia Maenpaa of White Plains, for leadership and voluntary service improving recycling performance at The Residences of Jefferson Place, a multi family residence
- James Petronella for dedicated volunteer services assisting the Village of Tuckahoe with local recycling collection, education and outreach programs
The event was sponsored by the county Parks and Environmental Facilities departments and the Friends of Westchester County Parks. Co-sponsors included Brookfield Resource Management, Wheelabrator Westchester, City Carting of Westchester, Malcolm Pirnie, Cornerstone Engineers and BSG (Birdsall Engineering).
Caption Picture #1: Fourth graders from Edgewood Elementary School in Scarsdale, recognized for working with their teachers in the development and implementation of an exemplary Earth Education “Ecosystem Project,” pose with County Executive Robert Astorino and County Legislator Bill Ryan after receiving their certificate.
Caption Picture # 2: CE Astorino; Jane Solnick, public affairs m Manager, Con Edison; Marsha Gordon, CEO, and Paul Vitale, vice president government & community relations, The Business Council of Westchester; and Ken Jenkins, Chair, county Board of Legislators.