Ilene Shapiro – Summit County Executive
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 29, 2018
Contact: Greta Johnson
Assistant Chief of Staff
Office of Executive Shapiro
330-643-2656
gjohnson@summitoh.net
County of Summit, ReWorks and John S. Knight Center Collaborate for Zero Waste Event at 2018 State of the County Address
Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s State of the County Address, held August 30, 2018, at the John S. Knight Center, was part of a zero waste initiative led by ReWorks, Summit County’s Solid Waste Management Authority. In preparation for the event, ReWorks seized an opportunity to expand the initiative beyond the State of the County Address to other events being held at the John S. Knight Center. ReWorks staff worked with John S. Knight Center staff to implement waste reduction practices, food waste composting and recycling for two additional events.
“ReWorks and the John S. Knight Center were incredible partners in once again making the State of the County Address an environmentally friendly event,” said Executive Shapiro. “Summit County supports methods that reduce food waste and increase recycling, and encourages others to consider how they can incorporate zero waste events in their own organizations.”
Food scraps that could not be donated were collected and sent to a licensed Ohio EPA compost facility to be converted into nutrient rich compost. Plastic bottles, metal cans, cartons and cardboard were captured and recycled. Reusable plates, utensils and napkins were used to reduce what was thrown away. In total, nearly half a ton of material was diverted from the landfill—760 pounds of food scraps composted, 61 pounds of plastic bottles, metal cans, cartons, and paper recycled, and 135.5 pounds of cardboard recycled.
“The experience of past successful partnering encouraged expansion of zero waste practices at our third zero waste initiative at the 2018 State of the County Address resulting in increased food waste diversion and recycling. We hope that ReWorks, the County of Summit’s Executive Office and the John S. Knight Center can lead by example and help other events incorporate these practices as well,” stated Marcie Kress, Executive Director of ReWorks.
“ReWorks underscores our community’s commitment to the local environment and the natural resources we’ve been entrusted to protect,” states Gregg Mervis, President & CEO of the John S. Knight Center. “Through combined efforts, our team realizes that we each become a positive steward of the assets we count among our most valuable – our land, our air and our water.”
To learn more about the programs and services offered by ReWorks, visit http://www.summitreworks.com/.
