The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority (Authority) annually recognizes one certified RecycleOne Business that has taken initiative to reduce their solid waste stream through reduction, recycling and proper disposal. This year, the Authority is honoring the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL), located in Utica, NY with the 2020 Recycling Champion Award.
There are currently 40 local businesses in the Authority’s RecycleOne Business Program. Every certified RecycleOne Business, regardless of the year they joined the program, is eligible to win the annual Recycling Champion Award in any subsequent year. This certification is free and available to all businesses in Oneida and Herkimer Counties.
Originally founded in 1983, RCIL is the largest independent living center in New York State. RCIL employees advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, teach essential skills for independent living, aid those seeking employment, help enroll people in social service programs and provide students and their families with educational resources.
In addition to the programs and initiatives that RCIL works to advance, the RCIL team has continued to prioritize recycling and sustainability in the workplace throughout the past year. As an essential business, RCIL has remained open throughout this pandemic to continue to provide much needed services to individuals in our community.
RCIL was selected for the Recycling Champion Award based on their recycling and waste reduction efforts, including:
- Utilizing a geothermal unit in the Dorothy Smith Center location on Genesee Street, which has provided for 100% of the facility’s energy demand since installation in 2007.
- Installing filtered water bottle refill stations that encourage the use of reusable bottles
- Replacing old lightbulbs with energy efficient LED versions
- Recycling of electronic waste (printers, monitors) at the Authority’s Utica EcoDrop
- Setting up an additional 30 recycling bins throughout their building in the past year
- Providing employees with reusable lunch bags and coffee mugs to cut down on single use alternatives
“This year has been especially straining on our community, but many businesses like RCIL continue to do important work during this challenging time. In addition to that, they have maintained their recycling program and continue to find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. RCIL deserves recognition for their hard work, and we are happy to present them with this award,” says Emily Albright, Authority Director of Recycling.
The Authority’s RecycleOne Business program continues to grow every year. For more information, or to get your business certified, please contact Emily Albright, Director of Recycling, at (315) 733-1224 ext. 1600.