Central Ohio residents are passionate about sustainability. Our region’s recycling rate is well above the national average and continues to rise, and on this America Recycles Day, SWACO is pleased to recognize local schools, businesses, and community sustainability champions who have been Caught Blue-Handed.
Marble Plastics
This local company on the south side of Columbus manufactures sheets of building materials from 100% recycled plastics which are then used by architects to design sustainable furniture, buildings, and spaces. The company specializes in hard-to-recycle plastic items such as solo cups, bread tags, refrigerator liners, and coffee lids, and has partnered on projects in New York, California, and with the Wexner Medical Center Green Team.
Caught Blue-Handed At School
Bluffsview Elementary in Worthington is working to become a School Recycling Champion, improving the current recycling program for the 400 students and teachers, and fifth grade teacher, Jen Ahlfors, from Hayes Intermediate School in the South-Western City School district is doing an amazing job with her school’s Green Team, which meets twice per month and has a record number of students involved.
Aardvark Wine and Beer
This local business diverts all of the recyclables created on-site at its shop in Linworth, including large amounts of cardboard, bottles, and cans, and is working to become a SWACO Business Recycling Champion. The shop even partners with the on-site food truck to keep even more waste out of the landfill.
Community Super Stars
The City of New Albany is currently participating in SWACO’s Save More Than Food community campaign, adding a fourth free location for its residents to drop off food waste for composting. It’s also holding seasonal collection events to recycle pumpkins, political yard signs, and holiday lights.
Like many communities in Central Ohio, the people of Westerville have also made a commitment to sustainability, and Sustainable Westerville hosts the annual ReUse-A-Palooza event in conjunction with Otterbein University, a city-wide effort to give reusable items a new home and purpose, as well as the Repair Café in which people meet up with specialists and neighbors alike to repair broken items from home to save both money and space in the landfill.
