3Rs Above and Beyond Employee Award

The purpose of this ongoing award is to recognize Bow Valley Waste and Member employees for their outstanding successes and contributions to waste reduction and resource recovery practices in their daily operations within the region.

The criteria for nominations include employee initiative, dedication, safety and operational competency. Nominations for employees from one of the Member Municipalities or Bow Valley Waste are brought forward to the Waste Manager's Working Group for selection. The CAO of Bow Valley Waste or his designate makes the presentation of this award.

November 2007 Honouree - Kirstin Israel, Scale Attendant, Francis Cooke Regional Landfill
December 2007 Honouree - Gary Parr, Purchasing Agent, Town of Banff
January 2008 Honouree - Duncan Smith, Senior Utilities Operator, MD of Bighorn
February 2008 Honouree: Linda Duxbury, Front Desk Receptionist, Town of Canmore

November 2007 Honouree - Kirstin Israel, Scale Attendant, Francis Cooke Regional Landfill

Left to right:

Darcy Edison, Landfill Manager, Kirstin Israel, Honouree, Anne Ruzicka, Regional Recycle Coordinator

"Kirstin believes we should be walking the talk and by source separating our lunchroom recyclables we are setting an example for others in our region" says her nomination submission. After listening to discussion of source separation on C&D projects, Kirstin decided the scale house should be separating the lunchroom recyclables.With increasing staff, the amount of recyclables were also increasing, so she drew up a schedule for employees to take turns taking the separated recyclables to a regional recycle depot. All staff have been very supportive of this new initiative. Congratulations Kirstin!

December 2007 Honouree - Gary Parr, Purchasing Agent, Town of Banff

Left to right

Jim Rait, Resource Recovery and Recycling Foreman, Town of Banff, Gary Parr, Honouree, Anne Ruzicka, Regional Recycle Coordinator

According to the nomination submission, "Gary works extremely hard as our purchasing agent, researching various products in regards to 'eco-friendly' products. Gary has indeed closed the 'loop' in most our our toiletries paper department by ordering our finished paper products from the same company we utilize for our paper recycling." It goes on to say, "While quality is always an issue with purchases, 'eco-friendliness' is one of his top priorities. Gary's Reduce, Reuse and Recycle philosophy is always ongoing. Any person's request for products always goes through the 3Rs philosophy." Congratulations Gary!

January 2008 Honouree - Duncan Smith, Senior Utilities Operator, MD of Bighorn

Left to Right:

Al Hogarth, Utilities Supervisor, MD of Bighorn, Duncan Smith, Honouree, Anne Ruzicka, Regional Recycle Coordinator

Duncan Smith received this award for his leadership in the demolition of the old Ghost River Fire Hall. According to his nomination, "he took it upon himself to ensure that all possible materials were recycled." All the old asphalt shingles were removed by hand. The old drywall, scrap metal and kiln-dried wood were diverted from the waste stream. This work directly supports Bow Valley Waste's goal to increase the diversion rates to the landfill, saving precious air space, extending the life of the landfill. Congratulations Duncan!

February 2008 Honouree: Linda Duxbury, Front Desk Receptionist, Town of Canmore

Left to Right:

Anne Ruzicka, Regional Recycle Coordinator, Linda Duxbury, Honouree, Tristan Holmes, Acting Supervisor, Solid Waste Services

Linda started an 'Office Swap' in the Town Hall building that was a huge success. "She set up a table in our kitchen and put all the unused and unwanted office supplies she could find there" reads her nomination. Encouraging staff to donate and/or help themselves to the items, all leftover items were donated at the end of the program. She continually looks for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, thinking beyond her own work area ensuring the Town doesn't needlessly buy 'stuff' that sits in storage. Congratulations Linda!