Recently, at the New Mexico Recycling and Solid Waste Conference, Facilities Management (FM) Recycling Services was presented with the Recycling Facility of the Year award.
The award was presented by the New Mexico Recycling Coalition, who each year recognizes programs and individuals working to divert material from landfills and that inspire New Mexicans to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Accepting the award for FM was Recycling Services Supervisor John Shaski. Shaski oversees the day-to-day operations and seven staff. The team is responsible for providing services to over 125 buildings and collection of over 2,000 recycling bins across campus.
According to Shaski, the continued success is due to the hard work of his small staff and support of other FM units. “Every department at UNM faces challenges and Recycling is no different. Over the past 18 months, we’ve asked a lot of our team, and sometimes we needed help, but we continue to strive to provide excellent services, and we don’t see that changing in the future.”
“After 30 years, this award shows we’ve stayed true to our mission to support UNM’s waste reduction efforts. And we’re particularly proud of our engagement with the students” - Sustainability Manager Mary Clark
In addition to collection services, FM Recycling was recognized for its participation with on-campus catering facilities in a commercial scale, food waste diversion program. This program supports ongoing student and staff efforts to implement a public-facing, organics diversion and recycling program to include limited on-site composting in conjunction with Lobo Gardens and the UNM Sustainability Studies program.
“As proud as we are of our past efforts, which earned FM Recycling this award, we are equally excited for what the future of the program holds,” said FM Director Al Sena, who accompanied Shaski to the awards ceremony.
The timing of the award is particularly fitting as FM Recycling Services is celebrating its 30th year of operation at UNM.
“After 30 years, this award shows we’ve stayed true to our mission to support UNM’s waste reduction efforts. And we’re particularly proud of our engagement with the students,” said Sustainability Manager Mary Clark, who oversees the recycling program.
Each year Recycling Services performs outreach at the UNM Sustainability Expo and Welcome Back Days to educate the campus community about the environmental benefits of recycling. It also welcomes student volunteers to work in the recycling facility during the annual Spring Storm and Fall Frenzy which teaches them about the labor-intensive process required for proper recycling.
To learn more about recycling at UNM, visit the FM Recycling Services webpage.
* Image - Recycling Services Supervisor John Shaski accepts the Recycling Facility of the Year award from New Mexico Recycling Coalition Executive Director Sarah Pierpoint.
