17414_Authority_April_2024

12 The Authority | APRIL 2024 Celebrating Earth Day April 22, 2024 Honoring Local Green Businesses to Celebrate Earth Day A little over ten years ago the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority (CCRRA) created a program called the Centre County Green Business Partnership. This program allows local businesses, schools, institutions and community groups to complete and submit an application detailing their waste reduction, reuse, recycling and sustainable practices. Applications are received and reviewed by a committee to ensure that the entity is, in fact, “green”. Once approved, the committee invites successful candidates to a Green Business Awards Luncheon held in coordination with Earth Day. At the Awards luncheon, each Green Business Partner is honored with a certificate and slide show detailing their outstanding waste reduction, recycling and sustainability practices. Guests are also encouraged to network and exchange ideas with others in attendance. In the months following the Awards luncheon, the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority recognizes each award winner with their own day on all of CCRRA’s social media pages, on our website, in various printed publications and across the local radio waves. It is our honor to highlight the wonderful local businesses, schools, institutions and community groups making a difference. The Centre County Green Business Partnership opens applications every two years (in the fall) with the Awards luncheon being held in the spring. We will hold our 6 th Awards luncheon this April. To date, we have honored over 100 Green Business Partners. Emerald Award Winners While reviewing applications, the committee selects a few entities who have programs that go above and beyond everyday sustainable practices and these entities are honored with an Emerald Award. The Emerald Award is just a bit higher of a recognition that many of our Green Business Partners are striving to achieve. We are so proud to honor all of our Green Business Partners, past and present and look forward to continuing this recognition program for years to come. Wishing you all a very, happy Earth Day! S By Amy Schirf, Education Coordinator, Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority Past CCRRA Board Chair Dave Pensak presenting an Emerald Award to Ray Caravan II and Ray Caravan III of KB Offset Printing.