CROSSVILLE —
Cumberland County was recently named as one of the winners of the 2012 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau recently announced the winners.
"We were honored to have won in this category and are glad the state recognized the efforts Tom (Breeding) and Mike (Harvel) are putting forth in our county," said Cumberland County Mayor Kennth Carey Jr.
Cumberland County won in the category of Excellence of Materials Management for the Cumberland County Solid Waste Department's purchase and use of the Andela Glass Pulverizer System – a machine that crushes glass into a fine sand-like substance.
Glass bottles present unique management challenges due to their weight and volume.
"This innovative system facilitates landfill diversion of glass bottles and also creates a marketable product with many beneficial uses. The fine glass product is mixed with sand and spread on county roads during inclement weather, reducing salt usage and runoff into area streams by up to 1,000 tons per year," a release from Gov. Haslam's office stated.
"Last year, the system contributed to a 20 percent recycling increase in Cumberland County, including approximately 15 tons of glass. More than 1,000 tons of glass is projected to be recycled and processed by the system in 2012. The revenue generated by the sale of the product to the county road department, as well as savings in landfill disposal fees, will provide a return on investment in less than two years," the statement continued.
Mayor Carey showed the award the county received during September's county commission meeting.
"I'd like to thank the county for allowing us to buy the glass machine to make the difference it has made," said 7th District Commissioner Mike Harvel. Harvel also works for the county as assistant solid waste director at the Cumberland County Recycling Center.
The state winners were recognized for their achievements and positive impact on the state’s natural resources in an awards ceremony held in Nashville last month.
"From implementing innovative new technology to environmentally friendly building practices to community members simply supporting one another, the honorees announced today once again demonstrate that Tennessee businesses, local governments, schools and everyday citizens are committed to healthier and more sustainable communities,” Gov. Haslam said.
The Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards program recognizes exceptional voluntary actions that improve or protect our environment and natural resources with projects or initiatives not required by law or regulation. In its 26th year, this year’s awards program covered nine categories: Building Green; Energy and Renewable Resources; Environmental Education and Outreach; Environmental Education and Outreach (school category); Land Use; Materials Management; Natural Heritage; Sustainable Performance; and Lifetime Achievement.
A panel of 36 professionals representing agricultural, conservation, forestry, environmental and academic professionals judged more than 100 nominations and selected this year’s award recipients based on criteria including on-the-ground achievement, innovation and public education.
“The ongoing protection of our land, water and air are essential components to our quality of life,” added Martineau. “This year’s award winners have put forth an extraordinary amount of effort, and we are pleased to be in position to honor their commitment to environmental stewardship and for leaving a positive legacy for all Tennesseans.”
Area News
Related Photos
-
Excellence in Materials Management award was presented for Cumberland County’s Friendly Glass. Leaders from Cumberland County accepted the Excellence in Materials Management honor at the 2012 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards for Cumberland County’s Friendly Glass program. From left are TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau; Cumberland County Mayor Kenneth Carey Jr.; Tom Breeden, solid waste director for Cumberland County; Deputy Governor Claude Ramsey; and Mike Harvel, assistant solid waste director for Cumberland County.
County earns Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award
- Area News
-
-
VECustomers Share awards local grants
Volunteer Energy Cooperative’s VECustomers Share program awarded $6,350 in grants to community service organizations in Cumberland County in May.
-
Audit committee member resigns
Cumberland County's audit committee will need a new member after one of the committee members resigned prior to Tuesday's meeting.
-
Indiana escapee nabbed in Lake Tansi
A Lake Tansi resident wanted by Indiana authorities was taken into custody after a short flight on foot and scuffle with deputies trying to take him into custody, according to reports.
-
Downtown project gets nod
After some 10 years of talking about it, planning and engineering, the Crossville City Council approved moving forward with plans to improve the downtown portion of Crossville with infrastructure replacements as well as improving the look of the original city business district.
-
Panel OKs raises for county employees
County employees may see a pay increase if the Cumberland County Commission approves the recommendations of the county's budget committee.
-
Audit panel reviews findings with state auditors
Cumberland County's audit committee met with state auditors Tuesday to discuss findings in the offices of county trustee and assessor of property.
-
Miles That Matter
-
School zones may need revision
Cumberland County allows parents to transport their children to a school out of their residential zone, as long as it will not cause an overcrowding at the school. The Cumberland County Board of Education is questioning if that policy needs to make a distinction between space available without portable classrooms.
-
School building plans questioned
The Cumberland County Board of Education is considering building renovations that total about $5.8 million in an effort to get rid of portable classrooms at two schools, but some board members question why building a new school hasn't been considered.
-
Cumberland gets moving!
- More Area News Headlines
-
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
