New Westminster's recycling initiatives have been recognized by the Waste and Recycling News.
The City of New Westminster was a finalist in the Green City Awards in the small city category. The awards, presented by Waste and Recycling News, honour municipalities' recycling programs for their diversion successes, community outreach and education efforts.
"It's quite an honour to be selected from cities throughout North America," said Kristian Davis, the city's supervisor of solid waste and recycling.
According to the Waste and Recycling News, more than 60 communities were nominated for awards in small-, medium- and large-sized community category. Beloit, Wis. won the small-sized community category, with New Westminster and Dartmouth, Mass. being finalists in the same category.
"In 2012, New Westminster saw a 70 per cent curbside recycling rate, a huge jump from just 28 per cent in 2009," Davis said in a press release. "Working with residents, we're making great progress in reducing the amount of waste we produce."
According to the City of New Westminster, what separates award nominees from finalists are creativity in delivering promotional campaigns and results achieved. Two of the initiatives that got New Westminster noticed were a student colouring contest that displayed winning recycling posters on the sides of city trucks and promotional grocery dividers displayed in local supermarkets.
"Our goal is to educate our residents and help them reduce their environmental impact through responsible recycling and waste management," said Mayor Wayne Wright. "Being recognized through this award shows that our residents are listening and taking action."
