It pays to recycle: Village awarded $15,000 for residents’ efforts

By Jason Arndt

Correspondent

      Recycling efforts by residents in the Village of Union Grove place the community among the nation’s elite, after the community earned a national fourth-place ranking and a $15,000 award from Racine-based SC Johnson Wax.

      The good news was announced at the Village Board’s Oct. 28 meeting.

      The recycling honors were earned for efforts made in 2012 and spearheaded by the village’s green initiative leader, trustee Tim Mallach.

      “He was very instrumental in getting us involved and for Union Grove being selected to represent the state of Wisconsin in this national competition,” Aimone said. “Being a competitor nationally was a great accomplishment on our part.”

      Aimone appointed Mallach in July to an ad hoc committee promoting green initiatives within the community.

      Village trustee Adam Graf is also part of the ad hoc committee to improve the environment.

      “Zero waste, 100 percent recycling,” Mallach explained after he was appointed the leader of the ad hoc committee at the July 8 board meeting.

      “Although we finished fourth, we were excited that we finished that high up and we weren’t expecting to receive anything as a result of the efforts put in by the community,” Aimone said. “So, we were surprised by the $15,000 award letter by SC Johnson.”

      The Village’s newest reward will still need to be factored into the village budget entering 2014 with specific requirements.

      “There are stipulations as to how it has to be spent and we will be looking to the ‘green team,’ as we call the ad hoc committee,” Aimone said. “We will be looking to them as to how to best use those funds.”

      Aimone added recycling efforts can greatly reduce the amount of village spending on solid waste collection and can also lead to better budget flexibility as Union Grove prepares to finalize the budget for 2014.

      He credited for Mallach for being an environmental advocate during Mallach’s seven-year tenure with the Village.

      Graf expressed his environmental platform upon his appointment to the committee, touting proper disposal of electronic waste.