ARC awarded

The California Integrated Waste Management Board has recognized the ARC of Butte County for its eco-friendly efforts by giving the organization the 2008 Waste Reduction Award certificate of acknowledgement.

Butte County’s ARC is a nonprofit serving the developmentally disabled of Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties. The organization helps support its programs by operating a banquet hall, and by selling used-donated items in three stores, including an online venue.

Through the sales, ARC helps to divert an estimated 250,000 pounds of trash from the landfill each year. The organization also recycles all in-house office paper and promotes recycling among employees (who are allowed to use the recycling profits for their own activities).

Additionally, green waste from landscaping at ARC facilities is delivered to a compost facility. While the measures help the environment, Tom Leonardi, ARC’s associate director, noted they also help the organization’s finances.