Plano Star-courier > News
City is recognized for efforts during expo
By Kim Williams, kwilliams@acnpapers.com
Plano’s Live Green Expo in April recently gained the attention from the Solid Waste Association of North America.
The expo had about 18,000 in attendance and was selected to receive the 2010 Silver Public Education Excellence Award from SWANA.
“This was our fourth year to have this expo but only the first to be recognized,” said Melinda Haggerty, sustainability communications coordinator for the city.
The award selection is based on research and planning, identifying and meeting specific goals, project implementation and quantifiable success measures which show attendance, behavior changes and positive environmental outcomes.
“You should be very proud of this successful effort in achieving the highest level of excellence in solid waste management,” said Pamela Wike, SWANA’s training program manager.“This is no small accomplishment given the excellent quality of this year’s nominations and the challenges faced by many of the programs and operations in the solid waste industry.”
Plano believes the city is setting the benchmark for the nation with the Zero Waste Program.
“While the expo has been diverting anything recyclable from the landfill, this year marked the début of a formal waste management program,” Haggerty said. “This year we are launching specific guidelines, obtaining a bureau waste goal in a formal concept. We’re in the process of trademarking the brand and will be marketing it nationwide.”
The program created an opportunity for attendees to be educated about the current waste categories and learn through live demonstration how to reduce the waste up to 90 percent.
As a result of the success with the program, Plano now offers a service to organizations and companies in the area who want to produce a similar expo within their entity.
“This gives consumers the opportunity to save a little ‘green’ while doing something positive for the environment,” Haggerty said.
The award will be presented Aug. 15 in Boston, Mass.
The 2011 Live Green Expo will be held April 16 at Plano Centre.
“This is a fun event, free to the public, and a great time to gain resources and information about living a ‘greener’ and cleaner lifestyle,” Haggerty said.
The expo had about 18,000 in attendance and was selected to receive the 2010 Silver Public Education Excellence Award from SWANA.
“This was our fourth year to have this expo but only the first to be recognized,” said Melinda Haggerty, sustainability communications coordinator for the city.
The award selection is based on research and planning, identifying and meeting specific goals, project implementation and quantifiable success measures which show attendance, behavior changes and positive environmental outcomes.
“You should be very proud of this successful effort in achieving the highest level of excellence in solid waste management,” said Pamela Wike, SWANA’s training program manager.“This is no small accomplishment given the excellent quality of this year’s nominations and the challenges faced by many of the programs and operations in the solid waste industry.”
Plano believes the city is setting the benchmark for the nation with the Zero Waste Program.
“While the expo has been diverting anything recyclable from the landfill, this year marked the début of a formal waste management program,” Haggerty said. “This year we are launching specific guidelines, obtaining a bureau waste goal in a formal concept. We’re in the process of trademarking the brand and will be marketing it nationwide.”
The program created an opportunity for attendees to be educated about the current waste categories and learn through live demonstration how to reduce the waste up to 90 percent.
As a result of the success with the program, Plano now offers a service to organizations and companies in the area who want to produce a similar expo within their entity.
“This gives consumers the opportunity to save a little ‘green’ while doing something positive for the environment,” Haggerty said.
The award will be presented Aug. 15 in Boston, Mass.
The 2011 Live Green Expo will be held April 16 at Plano Centre.
“This is a fun event, free to the public, and a great time to gain resources and information about living a ‘greener’ and cleaner lifestyle,” Haggerty said.
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