Arc awarded for debris-diversion

The California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery, the state authority on recycling, recognized the Arc of Butte County recently through the 2010 Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) for its green business practices, such as its efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and preserve resources by recycling all in-house office paper, and encouraging employees to recycle glass, aluminum and plastic, according to an Arc press release.

Additionally, Arc facilities’ green landscaping waste is delivered to the city’s compost facility, and it is company policy to not throw out any items that can be reused or re-sold at one of Arc’s thrift stores. Arc’s stores divert an estimated 250,000 pounds of potential waste from landfills each year.

The Arc, which supports programs for those with developmental disabilities through its Chico and Oroville thrift-store sales, also received the award in 2008 and 2009. Feather River Hospital and Foothill Mill and Lumber in Paradise, and CleanFlame in Oroville, also received awards this year. To search a list of statewide winners, visit www.calrecycle.ca.gov/WRAP/search.asp.