COLUMBUS, OH - More than 30 organizations, businesses, volunteers, students and government agencies from across Ohio were honored today for their local efforts in recycling, waste reduction and litter prevention at the ninth annual Take Pride, Ohio! awards ceremony in Columbus. The Take Pride, Ohio! awards are sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
This annual awards program gives ODNR the opportunity to recognize and thank Ohios best in recycling and litter prevention, said Ron Kolbash, chief of the ODNR Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention. This years award recipients reflect the high quality and level of commitment of the states many recycling and litter prevention programs.
The ODNR Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention recognized outstanding achievement in two categories: Recycle, Ohio! and Clean Up, Ohio! The awards honored recipients for innovative recycling and litter prevention projects that benefit Ohio communities.
Nicole Stepsis, a teacher at Harrison Street Elementary School in Delaware County, was named the Outstanding Educator in Ohio. She has been an advocate of incorporating environmental issues into classroom curriculums and has proven to be a positive influence to her students, school and community.
The division also recognized 12 student winners of its eleventh annual Earth Day to Earth Day poster contest and private businesses and state agencies who have partnered with state recycling programs.
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EDITORS NOTE: BELOW IS A COMPLETE LISTING OF RECYCLE, OHIO!, CLEAN UP, OHIO! AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS.