STAMFORD, Conn. (December 13, 2022) – The 144th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard and Sergeant Ray Scott (U.S. Marine Corps, Retired) have been presented with the America Recycles Day® Recycling Hero Awards for 2022 by Keep America Beautiful®.
Each year, on or around America Recycles Day (ARD), Keep America Beautiful (KAB) honors a U.S. military installation and an active or retired military personnel that demonstrates the tremendous potential of the U.S. military to improve recycling across the country. Successful nominees inspire other military installations with waste reduction and recycling programs to maximize diversion, exemplify collaboration, ensure sustainability, and demonstrate consistency with national policy and programs.
Nominated by Mark Standriff, Director of Beautify Fresno for the City of Fresno, the Military Installation award was presented to the 144th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard in Fresno, California. The installation was chosen to be recognized for its commitment to environmental responsibility and for making recycling an everyday responsibility for all base members. Leveraging the Department of Defense’s Qualified Recycling Program, base members reduce waste for landfilling through a series of waste diversion and recycling programs, including the collection of bulk metals, cardboard, alkaline and rechargeable batteries, used motor oil and car batteries, and lightbulbs, as well as the traditional residential recycling items.
Once a Marine, always a Marine
Sergeant Ray Scott (U.S. Marine Corps, Retired) was presented the Individual Recipient award. Scott has been an active force in supporting and promoting recycling across California. As the past president of Keep California Beautiful, Ray has inspired the next generation of leaders through the development of K-12 and collegiate environmental education and stewardship programs. Overseeing the development of an APP to promote citizen science and prevent litter, Scott’s 22-year effort has left a legacy to encourage individuals to act every day to improve their community. His legacy to educate, engage, and encourage Californians to recycle will be long remembered and built upon.
In partnership with SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America), the awards were presented on December 6 at WASTECON in San Diego. Keep America Beautiful President & CEO Jennifer Lawson was in attendance to present the awards. Ahmad Alkhayyat, Assistant Director of Public Utilities Solid Waste Division for the City of Fresno, accepted the ARD Military Installation award on behalf of the 144th. Ray Scott accepted the individual award.
About Keep America Beautiful:
Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of 700 Keep America Beautiful affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.
Contact:
Abby Turpin, Director of Communications
Keep America Beautiful®
communications@kab.org