WESTCHESTER DEF HONORS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ACHIEVEMENTS

Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the county”™s Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) extended Earth Day by celebrating all month with events and activities, including the 2023 Eco Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the environment and sustainability made by residents, students, schools, municipalities, businesses and other organizations.  

Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Facilities Louis Vetrone, said “Westchester County is fortunate to have residents, municipalities and businesses who are committed to protecting and improving our environment. Their contributions are a major reason Westchester County continues to be a leader in environmental management and sustainability”¦.”

The awardees included: 

Our New Way Garden: For its community-supported agriculture program.

Planting Westchester: For supporting clean air and water goals by encouraging green spaces and agricultural management throughout Westchester.

Filippine de Haan Hoogland, Fiona Mitchell: For working with Healthy Yards in Westchester to reduce chemical usage and expand wildlife habitats.

Tai Montanarella, Mario Bulfamante & Sons Landscaping: For working with EcoPel on the restoration of the Pelham Manor Hutchinson River Parkway northbound Exit 4.

The Scarsdale High School Ecoconscious Initiative: For engaging Westchester”™s youth through the Youth Environmental Opportunities Panel event.

Concord Road Elementary School (Ardsley) Student Council: For encouraging students to go waste-free at lunch through the creation of the Zero Waste School Lunches 2023 video.

Peter McCartt, Gayle Katzman and Hernane De Almeida: For working to reduce the county”™s carbon footprint through the county”™s Clean Fleet Initiative, bringing electric vehicles to the Bee-Line and public safety fleets.

Giovanna Rotini-Cole: For supporting DEF recycling outreach efforts through the creation of the characters featured in “Westchester Recycling Chronicles” and other artistic contributions.

John McDonald: For commitment to the annual Public Works Day, educating students on the importance of recycling.

Town of Pound Ridge, city of Rye and town of North Salem: For achieving the top-three-highest municipal curbside recycling rates in Westchester County in 2022.

City of Mount Vernon DPW: For the Recycling Bin initiative, providing recycling bins free of charge to residents to promote and increase recycling in the city.