Holland of Greenwood SC Named Recycling Professional of the Year
Brenda Holland has made the recycling program at Piedmont Technical College one of her top priorities. Her efforts have now earned her the title of Recycling Professional of the Year for Colleges/Universities by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
“This is truly an honor, but it is a partnership between the faculty, staff, students and the recycling team,” Holland said.
In 1990, state legislation asked all state agencies to reduce refuse collection by 25 percent. The college used the request to enhance its existing recycling efforts by extending challenges to faculty, staff and students. Using posters, individual and divisional awards and recognition efforts, the college was able to reduce the cost of refuse pick up by 50 percent within the first three years of the campaign.
“The college has made waste reduction a priority for many years,” said Dale Wilson, physical plant director. “We’re finding ways to improve our efforts each year,” he explained.
Wilson pointed to Holland as the driving force behind the institution’s successful waste reduction efforts.
“Brenda successfully negotiated contracts to place recycling collection dumpsters on campus and has helped the college secure a number of recycling grants over the last 13 years,” explained Wilson.
In 2008, Holland’s efforts resulted in more than 58 tons of recycled goods, including 38.75 tons of paper goods-an amount that has increased substantially over the last three fiscal years-and more than 12 tons of electronic equipment.
As a result of Holland’s continuing commitment to promoting the importance of recycling, her program receives 100 percent participation from faculty, staff and students at the college.
Holland expanded the program to promote the use of leaves, grass and limb clippings as mulch for use in beds and eroded areas. She also implemented cost-saving measures to ensure that the program will remain sustainable by identifying and developing relationships with vendors who are able to provide pickup services free of charge.
“Brenda’s commitment to continuous improvement has led to an expertise that has been recognized throughout the higher education community,” said Dr. Ray Brooks, president of PTC. “Her willingness to implement innovative new strategies, her dedication to improvement and her impressive results make Brenda Holland an excellent choice for the DHEC Recycling Professional of the Year.”
“The college is very fortunate to have a person like this to initiate and maintain our recycling program,” said Wilson. “Many initiatives have been put in place in the past 20 years and the success of the program can be attributed to Brenda’s dedication and knowledge of the recycling process.”
Posted by: www.Gwdtoday.com
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