Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) recently honored the Dixon High School Key Club at its annual meeting Nov. 29. Each year, Ozark Rivers recognizes individuals and organizations that help the district meet its goal of reducing solid waste by 40 percent through a commitment to recycling and waste reduction.

“As chairman of the ORSWMD, it’s my honor to help recognize the recipients of the awards for Outstanding Achievements in Solid Waste Management,” Chairman Brady Wilson said. “These awardees set an example for others to follow. Whether it be recycling, education or environmental improvement, their grassroots efforts lead to positive changes that benefit the entire region. The annual banquet is the district’s opportunity to thank these individuals and groups for their role in taking care of our natural world.”

With the support of dedicated educator Trisha McCray, the Dixon High School Key Club has been growing its school-based recycling program since 2012. With ORSWMD grant monies, high school students have annually provided recycling education to some 500 elementary school students. The club’s recycling center, located at the high school, consists of a shed, a baler for processing cardboard plus 46 curbside recycling containers and desk side containers for use in the elementary and high schools. The growth continues, as the club will expand recycling services to include local banks. The next step for the group is to start collecting junk mail from the local post office and purchasing a trailer for hauling their collected materials. MRPC staff nominated the Dixon High School Key Club.

Others honored at the meeting included Earth’s Classroom in Rosebud; the Eco-Miners, a volunteer group of students from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla; Valerie McEuen, a teacher at Bourbon High School; and Onondaga Cave State Park.

The Ozark Rivers District includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities with populations of 500 or more. The district’s strategy for solid waste reduction, which has been individually adopted by all member governments and approved by Missouri Department of Natural Resources involves intense education and increased recycling efforts in member counties and cities. MRPC provides administration of the district and assists with a variety of implementation projects.

For more information about ORSWMD or waste reduction and recycling opportunities in the Ozark Rivers area, contact Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC environmental programs manager, at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 24, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion.

Trisha McCray accepts the award for the Dixon High School Key Club from ORSWMD Chairman Brady Wilson in recognition of the club’s environmental efforts.

ORSWMD Chairman Brady Wilson (3rd from the right) presented awards to Earth’s Classroom Founders Bill Miles (left) and Jody Miles, Onondaga Cave State park represented by Lori Moore and Connie Stephens, Dixon High School Key Club represented by Trisha McCray, Valerie McEuen and the Eco-Miners represented by Jillian Hunt and Joshua Breedlove in recognition of their environmental efforts within the Ozark Rivers region.