The Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District was named “Program of the Year” by the Maine Resource Recovery Association. This is the first time BRRDD received the honor in its 28-year history.

The MRRA announced recipients of its annual awards on April 28 during the 22nd annual Maine Recycling and Solid Waste Conference.

The BRRDD began operations in 1987 and started the recycling program in 1990. Steve Lewis began working at district in 1990. He has been the district’s operation manager for 13 years. He said the key to running an efficient transfer station lies mostly with the public.

“The public has been really good about recycling,” Lewis said. “The public makes our job easy. Without their participation taxes would be a lot higher.”

Most of the district’s recyclable material is marketed by the MRRA. Recycled newspaper is sent to the Huhtamaki Plant in Waterville. Huhtamaki recycles the newspaper into drink holders. Most of the cardboard is sent to Canada, according to Lewis.

The Most Improved Program was the Wiscasset Transfer Station. Other transfer stations receiving recognition were Granville Ames and Pat Anderson, Mid-coast Solid Waste, Operator of the Year; Randy Gray, Town of Skowhegan Solid Waste Supervisor, Composter of the Year; Trampas King, Superintendent Mid-Maine Solid Waste Association in Corinna Ed and Becky Benson of Benson Farms, Gorham, Business Recycler of the Year; and Geoff Hill of Belgrade.

Hill was recognized for his dedication and leadership in the promotion of composting, recycling, and waste reduction for over 45 years, according to the MRRA press release.

The MRRA 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. The association offers cooperative marketing of recycled materials and educational services to members and residents throughout Maine.