PRESS RELEASE                                                                     

For Immediate Release
September 17, 2009

 2009 Environmental Achievement Award Winner Announced

Elkton, MD - The Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the Solid Waste Management Division of the Cecil County Department of Public Works for its efforts in helping to safeguard the environment by presenting the Division with an Environmental Achievement Award for 2009.  The award was presented to officials of the Department of Public Works by Mr. William C. Early, the Acting Regional Administrator, in a ceremony held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 16, 2009.

According to the EPA, the award recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions toward enhancing and protecting the quality of the environment in the EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region, which is comprised of the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

From over 60 nominations, EPA presented awards to ten individuals and organizations in three categories. Solid Waste Management Division was one of four winners (and the only local government winner) in the "Federal, State, and Local Governments" category.  According to EPA's award citation, Cecil County's Solid Waste Management Division was selected in recognition of its highly successful recycling and environmental programs including a program to collect unwanted, unneeded, or expired medications at Household Hazardous Waste Day events, and a companion program to offer proper sharps (i.e. needle) disposal at the County landfill.  Both programs were among the first to be offered in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

"The Board is proud of the work being performed by the Solid Waste Division," said President Brian Lockhart. "They consistently strive to initiate innovative recycling programs that are supported by our residents."  Tanya Adams, Solid Waste Management Division Recycling Coordinator, Pete Bieniek, Solid Waste Management Division Chief, and Scott Flanigan, County Director of Public Works, accepted the award on behalf of the County.   

 "This is the third major award which Solid Waste Management Division has received within the past year, the other two being the 2008 Silver Recycling Systems Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America and the Small Government Leadership Award from the Maryland Recycling Network," said Scott Flanigan, County Director of Public Works.  "They are testaments to the great work that the staff of Solid Waste Management Division is doing as well as the tremendous support that the County's residents provide to those programs," Flanigan concluded.

Direct questions regarding this press release to:Ms. Tanya Adams
Recycling Coordinator
Solid Waste Management Division
Cecil County Department of Public Works
758 E. Old Philadelphia Road,  Elkton, MD 21921
(410) 996-6275
E-mail: tadams@ccgov.org