Local Businesses, Schools Honored at 7th Annual Recycling Leadership Awards

Twenty-two local organizations were recognized for their outstanding waste reduction and recycling practices at the Seventh Annual Recycling Leadership Awards April 4 at Silverado Resort.

Napa Mayor Jill Techel was on hand to present the awards to the city organizations; Napa County Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht presented the awards to Napa County recipients.

A list of award winners appears below.

The city award winners were selected based on a combination of 1) field surveys that measure the amount of non-recyclable trash in the recycling bins as well as recyclables in the trash, and 2) undertaking proactive recycling and waste reduction efforts.

The winners are among the best in the city in maximizing their recycling and preventing recyclables from going out in the trash and ultimately to a landfill.

For example, Trader Joe’s was recognized for having one of the largest trash bill reductions in the City of Napa, lowering its bill by approximately $11,000 from 2011 to 2012 by reducing the total amount of waste sent to landfill and improving recycling.

Each recipient received an award made from recycled glass and certificates from Congressman Mike Thompson, State Senators Noreen Evans and Lois Wolk, and State Assemblymember Mariko Yamada.

The City of Napa also awarded their outstanding recyclers with a cumulative total of $8,000 in cash awards. Funding for the prizes comes from Napa Recycling and Waste Services as part of its contract with the City of Napa.

The City of Napa announced that going forward the city’s annual awards would be renamed as the “JD Fullner Recycling Leadership Award” in remembrance of
the long-time Recycling Assistant who passed away in 2012.

From 2001-2012, JD interacted with many in the Napa community, passionately assisting with and promoting recycling. Kevin Miller, Recycling Manager for the city’s Recycling Division, recounted to event attendees how “JD was a Man of God who grew to become an evangelist for recycling.”

South County recycling leaders were also recognized for their efforts to expand recycling and composting programs or for adopting other unique approaches to reducing waste and litter, such as Kayak NV’s Napa River cleanup adventures.

The event was held at also one of the Unincorporated County awardees.

Due to its very robust food composting and recycling programs, the resort prevented 83 percent of its waste materials from going to landfill in 2012.

Ray Jacquez, the resort’s Executive Steward and Jeffrey Jake, the Executive Chef, are passionate about waste reduction and believe that being very supportive of staff, and ensuring employees understand the program helps keeps the program strong and successful.

The complete list of award recipients is as follows:
City Award Recipients

Businesses:
 Abbey Carpets Unlimited
 Aldea Children & Family Services
 Napa County Department of Corrections
 Perfect Endings
 Trader Joe’s
 Trancas Medical Center
 Vallerga’s Market

Multi-Family Complexes:
 Napa Creek Manor
 Napa Valley Community Housing

Schools:
 Napa High School
 Napa Valley Language Academy
 West Park Elementary School
 Blue Oak School
 Justin-Siena High School

South Napa County Recycling Leaders
 Artesa Vineyards & Winery
 Coast Landscape Management
 Domaine Carneros Winery
 Kayak NV
 Nova Group
 Silverado Resort
 Silverado Veterinary Hospital
 The Food Bank – Community Action Napa Valley

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