OC Waste and Recycling (OCWR) received two 2020 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). OCWR was recognized for the development and implementation of a Metal Recycling Pilot Program at the Prima Deshecha Landfill and for creation and launch of the OCRecycleGuide.com website.
The Metal Recycling Pilot Project was launched in October 2019 to promote a new service to county residents, to help reduce the amount of materials being landfilled at the site and to create a new stream of income for the County. The program was extended through August 2020 as a public-private partnership with OC Public Works and a long-term contract with a metal recycling company. By removing metal materials from the waste stream coming into the landfills and processing them, OCWR has effectively increased Prima Deshecha Landfill’s airspace, which is directly related to the capacity and life of the landfill.
OCWR developed, implemented and launched OCRecycleguide.com in September 2019, a regional search tool to answer residential questions about where and how to properly recycle various items. It connects users to the optimum contacts and resources specific to their place of residence, while supporting statewide waste diversion goals and preserving landfill capacity. It was developed by OCWR and the OC Information Technology Team (OCIT).
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.
The 2020 achievement award winners celebrate 50 years of County innovation. For more information on award criteria and winners, visit NACo here.
