President Jeff Cooper recognized two outstanding recyclers at the NYSAR3 annual meeting in Syracuse on October 16. Brenda Grober, project manager with the Empire State Development Environmental Services Unit, was recognized for her service in the public sector. Meg Morris, Director of Environmental Science & Community Affairs for Covanta Energy was recognized for her service in the private sector.
“The qualities people first see in Brenda are her undying energy and her dedication to her profession, colleagues and clients,” said Cooper in Grober’s citation. He continued, “She has played a key leadership role in several state and regional organizations and demonstrates the value of recycling every day.”
Grober has been with the Environmental Services Unit since its inception in 1989. She has fostered upwards of 70 projects valued at $11.6 million in New York State investments, helping 185 companies divert over 393,000 tons of solid waste from disposal to recycling, creating $31.4 million in economic benefits for the State of New York.
Morris was recognized for her dedication and leadership to the recycling community at both the state and national levels. She has served on the boards of NYSAR3, the Federation of Solid Waste Association and she is a former board president for the National Recycling Coalition. She is also a founding board member of the Go Green Initiative, promoting education and resources for school-based recycling programs.
“Meg is truly devoted to the environmental community, leading the way to help spread the word on reduction, reuse and recycling,” said Cooper. “She has brought credibility and professionalism to every position she has held. Her outreach extends to schools, communities, and professionals in the recycling field as well as the general public.”
The Recycler of the Year Award is an annual recognition by NYSAR3 members of the outstanding recyclers in New York State. Nominees must be members in good standing of NYSAR3. Awards in the past have included both public and private sector members, as well as awards for Lifetime Achievement.
