The Elk County Solid Waste Authority created a municipal waste management plan for the processing and disposal of municipal waste generated within the county over a 10-year period. A municipal waste management ordinance licensed municipal waste haulers to designated disposal sites, established solid waste administrative fees and designated permitting for the removal of demolition waste. It was a thorough, well-organized, well-managed, comprehensive attack on the generation and disposal of waste.
Seven collection containers were placed in various sections of the county with alternates for paper and plastic collection. As a result, 32 percent of all glass, aluminum, paper and plastic waste is now recycled. Tire collection and disposal yielded 12 semi-truck loads containing an estimated 10,000 tires. The county budgeted $10,000 to clean up illegal dump sites. Four newspaper shredders process 50 to 75 tons per year for farm bedding. Studies on septic waste treatment and landfill leachate determined landfill acceptance of local industry waste, allowing the county to stop shipping waste to other states. Three glass crushers were procured for use by local non-profit organizations. Recycling programs targeting schools and the general public were a part of their outreach strategy. Backyard compost bins were distributed to encourage composting and reduce disposal of these materials. A solid waste coordinator was hired to oversee the disposal of white goods, used oil and other municipal waste.
The county received a $10,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 1997 for studies on air pollution, permit generalization and alternatives for pressed and powdered metal lubricants. Many local industries already use this resource. The solid waste coordinator actively participates in area activities such as the local Pollution Prevention Roundtable for industrial waste reduction and all solid waste programs sponsored by DEP.
Elk County Solid Waste Authority
P.O. Box 448
Ridgway, PA 15853
Elk County
Organization Type: Government
Waste Reductions:
10,000 tires
50-75 tons cow bedding
Other Benefits: Clean-up of illegal dumps
Kristine M. Anderson
June 26, 1961 – July 7, 1999
1998 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
“..[the Solid Waste Coordinator] has touched every resident in a very positive manner by initiating and administering a network of programs, civic activities, presentations, grants, aids to industry and communities and a host of other successes that have positively transformed the way of life in Elk County.”
– Kristine M. Anderson
Elk County Solid Waste Authority
1998 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence Recipient
In Memory of:
Kristine M. Anderson
June 26, 1961 – July 7, 1999
1998 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence Recipient
Pennsylvania lost an environmental leader on July 7, 1999 when Kristine Anderson of the Elk County Solid Waste Authority passed away at age 38 after a battle with cancer. Kris was an outspoken proponent of sound, proactive environmental solutions, and she was highly regarded in her community and in environmental circles. She was responsible for the development of a recycling program model in Elk County, which is a unique accomplishment for such a rural area. The programs she developed included backyard composting (almost 10 percent of households county-wide were provided with composting equipment), business recycling, school recycling, newspaper animal bedding, used oil collection, parks recycling and a county-wide drop off program ensuring that all non-mandated areas would have access to recycling.
Kris also was involved in many diverse environmental projects beyond recycling. For the past two years, Kristine had served as co-chairperson of the Elk County Pollution Prevention Roundtable for Business and Industry where she helped to encourage and support local manufacturers in their efforts to reduce environmental impacts.
Another significant environmental project heavily influenced by Kris’ energy and determination is the powder metal initiative. This is a highly successful pollution prevention project designed to reduce emissions from one of the largest manufacturing industries in Elk County. Kris also was instrumental in bringing together agency and industry efforts for the future remediation of the St. Marys Landfill site, an abandoned landfill with adjacent lands earmarked for recreational and educational reuse. She also was influential in moving forward plans for a regional composting, biosolids and organic recycling facility to divert tons of the area’s organic materials waste from the landfill.
In 1998, Kris won the prestigious Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. (See link above) Through the award, Gov. Tom Ridge gave recognition to Kris’ leadership in recycling and market development. Through her leadership, Elk County now has a progressive, exemplary infrastructure to handle its waste issues and a roadmap to an environmentally sound future.