Pilot project announced at Grand Opening of ReCommunity Beacon
NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (April 25, 2012) – ReCommunity Beacon, the new Materials Recovery Facility in Beacon, N.Y., in conjunction with the Pattern for Progress Fellows Program announced the launch of a new pilot program aimed at increasing recycling at the Rombout Middle School and Beacon High School.
Brian Gates, Vice President of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp., and current Pattern for Progress Fellow, worked with Pattern group members and Mr. Chris Coady, director of marketing and communication for ReCommunity, to develop and implement a school wide recycling program by placing recycling bins in all classrooms and common areas of the Middle School, as well as the formation of a teacher/student recycling committee that will oversee and track the results of the program.
“Our Fellows group, under the direction and guidance of Jonathan Drapkin, President and CEO of Pattern for Progress, enjoyed collaborating with ReCommunity and the life science teachers from Rombout Middle School, to discover ways to change the public’s habits and attitudes towards recycling, and source funding opportunities for education and increased usage of recycling bins,” said Gates. “The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that recycling 10,000 tons of waste creates 36 jobs, while land- filling 10,000 tons of waste, only creates six jobs…and jobs are what we are all about at HVEDC.”
ReCommunity, a leader in the resource recovery industry recently acquired Hudson Baylor’s 12 recycling facilities in the Northeast and Southwest United States, including one in Newburgh and the new facility in Beacon along with two more that are scheduled to open this year.
“Our mission is to continuously improve community sustainability through maximized resource recovery,” said Coady . “And there is no better way to do that than to educate and motivate the students of the Hudson Valley Region.” “We hope to replicate this program in every school district in the valley.”
Two Life Science teachers, Laurie Malin and Casandra Orser, from Rombout Middle School along with senior high school student Stevie Borrello have been very active in recycling paper products in their respective schools and this new program will allow single container recycling of paper, plastic and other recyclables for pick up by Royal Carting. Royal Carting, Hopewell Junction, has donated the large containers for the common areas of the schools.
About ReCommunity: ReCommunity, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is a leading recycling, recovery and repowering company that is focused on dramatically reducing the volume of land-filled waste through conversion into useful products such as recycled commodities, low-carbon energy, ReEngineered Feedstock™, bio-fuels and other value-added recycled products. The company aims to lead a Recovery Revolution™ by repositioning waste as a strategic community resource instead of a growing liability. ReCommunity enables community partners to generate additional revenue, recover community owned resources, create new jobs, fund budget shortfalls, and reduce their carbon footprint. For more information, visit www.recommunity.com or call Chris Coady, Northeast Regional Business Development Manager, Re Community 845-527-8862.
About Pattern for Progress: Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress is a not-for-profit policy,planning, advocacy and research organization whose mission is to promote regional, balanced and sustainable solutions that enhance the growth and vitality of the Hudson Valley. For more information on Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, visit www.pattern-for-progress.org. or call Jonathan Drapkin at 845-565-4918.
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC): HVEDC represents seven counties in Hudson Valley. This public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC also helped start the branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley. For more information on Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation or to review available business sites, visit www.hvedc.com or call CEO Mike Oates at 845-220-2244.
