In recognition of drop-off hard-to-recycle collection events 鈥� which collected nearly one-half million pounds of material in 2024 鈥� Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) has received the Governor鈥檚 Award for Environmental Excellence. 鈥淎t PRC we work hard every day to prevent waste and conserve the environment,鈥� said PRC Deputy Director Sarah Alessio Shea.聽 鈥淲e are proud of our hard-to-recycle program, which for two decades has offered opportunities to responsibly dispose of materials not accepted curbside.聽 Its success is one example of our environmental impact in Pennsylvania.鈥�
Last year PRC鈥檚 hard-to-recycle program served 6,000 households who attended events. In 2024, the program collected 386,000 pounds of electronic devices, 49,000 pounds of small appliances, 36,000 pounds of tires, and 1,410 pounds of polystyrene. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to divert these materials from landfills since many contain toxic elements that can leach into our waterways or introduce dangerous toxic chemicals into our environment, while others contain valuable recyclable resources,鈥� according to PRC Collection Events Manager Joshua Schuneman.聽 鈥淏y attending PRC events, people know that their materials are properly and safely handled, recycled, and even reused if possible.鈥�
Awardees were evaluated for their degree of environmental protection, innovation, partnership, economic impact, consideration of climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice, as well as outcomes achieved. 鈥淗onorees embody the innovative thinking needed to protect our environment and shape a more sustainable future here in Pennsylvania,鈥� said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. 鈥淭hese projects showcase our ability to work collaboratively to preserve and protect Pennsylvania鈥檚 natural resources.鈥�