Zero’s Waste for the win!
BPCA’s Zero Waste Initiative has been named the Outstanding Not-for-Profit Business Leadership awardee by the National Recycling Coalition (NRC), an organization focused on promoting and enhancing recycling in the United States that envisions waste reduction and sound management practices for raw materials in North America as a path to an environmentally sustainable economy. The award, presented during a virtual ceremony on Thursday, November 4, comes on the heels of the Authority’s Zero Waste Advisory Committee recognition by the New York State Academy for Public Administration with a Public Service Excellence Award earlier this year.
“We’re delighted to be recognized by the National Recycling Coalition for our Outstanding Non-for-Profit Business Leadership Award,” said BPCA President & CEO B.J. Jones. “The climate crisis necessitates urgent and ambitious efforts to transition to a low-carbon future – the future depends on it. Healthier, more vibrant, and resilient communities require an array of actions and our Zero Waste initiative is an important example of that.”
“I am humbled to be part of such a great team, and this incredible recognition further solidifies BPCA’s commitment to being green,” said Ryan Torres, BPCA Vice President, Parks Operations. Our zero waste goals are big, but I know that as we push forward, lead by example and work as a team, we will continue to take steps closer to a more sustainable Battery Park City and world.”
“We received over 80 nominations this year for the awards. Picking just one winner in each category was difficult, but also rewarding to see the great efforts and programs around the country for recycling and organics diversion,” said NRC Awards Committee Chair, Dr. Lisa Skumatz. “We have programs refurbishing laptops, achieving up to 90% diversion rates, and saving food and getting it back to those who need it in their community! Many of these programs are still making huge strides in this new world of virtual outreach.”
On Earth Day 2019 BPCA launched its Zero Waste initiative at its 75 Battery Place facility, focused on activities encouraging the reduction and rescue of items, and increasing education about recycling. The Authority offered reusable utensil kits to those employees who pledged to adopt BPCA’s Zero Waste Goal, and created a Zero Waste Advisory Committee to engage staff from various departments, conduct monthly waste audits, and modify the longstanding community compost program to include more drop-off locations and increase the amount of compost generated. These actions helped transform the facility’s operations and achieve 90% waste diversion and TRUE Gold certification, paving the way for sustainable business practices.
NRC’s annual awards program is designed to honor and recognize outstanding individuals, programs, and organizations around the country, both for their achievements, and to serve as a model and a resource for learning for NRC members. Award categories recognize outstanding programs in for-profit businesses, higher education, non-profit organizations, recycling organizations, diversion innovation, and community / governmental programs, as well as awards for outstanding emerging leader and lifetime achievement.
The full list of award recipients is as follows:
2021 Awards and Recipients
- Lifetime Achievement in Recycling
- Bill Heenan Emerging Leader
- Outstanding Outreach Program
- West Tennessee Regional Recycling Hub
- Outstanding Community / Government Program
- Bááháálí-Chichiltah Regional Solid Waste Collection Center
- Outstanding Higher Education Winner
- University of California- Los Angeles
- Outstanding Recycling Organization
- Carolina Recycling Association
- Outstanding Not-for-Profit Business Leadership
- Battery Park City Authority in Lower Manhattan
- Outstanding Business Leadership-For Profit Company
- Informative Technologies Inc.
- Outstanding Diversion Innovation
Additional resources:
– BPCA Presents: Battery Park City Sustainability Tour
– Battery Park City Sustainability Plan (PDF)
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