Former Operations Manager, Harvey Levitt, Receives Award

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Harvey Levitt (center) receives the Professional Achievement Award for the Public Sector at a recent conference from representatives from the Solid Waste Association of North America. 

Harvey Levitt (center) receives the Professional Achievement Award for the Public Sector at a recent conference from representatives from the Solid Waste Association of North America. 

              Harvey Levitt, former Operations Manager at the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority (DWSWA), Dalton, GA, was recently awarded the “Professional Achievement Award-Public Sector” by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Given annually, this award recognizes SWANA Members for valuable and distinguished contributions to the Association, the individual’s employing organization and the general public. The length of continuous contributions and services by the individual is a consideration in the selection.

            Nominated by the Georgia Chapter of SWANA, Mr. Levitt has more than 25 years of experience in solid waste management in both the private and the public sector. He served for 18 years at DWSWA, overseeing a very successful solid waste management program, before retiring in December 2012.          “Harvey’s recognition is well deserved,” remarked Norman Barashick, Executive Director of the DWSWA.  “Harvey has worked tirelessly over the years to improve recycling access at the local level and to improve professional education access on the state level.”

            Harvey is a certified landfill operator in Georgia, and has participated for 20 years in the Georgia Landfill Operator Certification Training program as lead moderator and teacher. He served for 14 years as the Georgia Chapter’s treasurer, has participated in multiple committees, and continues to sit on the board of directors.

            For more information, contact SWANA at 1-800-467-9262 or SWANA-Georgia Chapter at 770-822-9309. Or visit www.swana.org or www.gaswana.org.

Local Schools Participate in Nationwide School Recycling Contest

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Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization, has announced the winners of “Recycle-Bowl”, the first comprehensive nationwide recycling competition for elementary-, middle- and high-school students.  65 schools in Georgia participated at the state level recycling as much as possible during the weeks of October 15 to November 15, 2013.   At the state level, two local schools placed in the Top 5 in Georgia taking second, and third place.

Public and private schools in Whitfield County currently participate in Target Recycling at School, a free recycling collection service offered by the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority.  With the assistance of the DWSWA’s recycling center, 36 local schools were registered for the 3rd annual nationwide competition.  Each school received a kit to help promote recycling in their school with posters and educational activities. 

At the end of the competition period the weights of the recyclables collected at each school were reported to Recycle-Bowl staff.  The national winner was Foothill Elementary School in Pittsburg, California.  A full list of statewide winners can be found at www.Recycle-Bowl.org.  Below are the top five schools in the state of Georgia for Recycle-Bowl 2013:

Georgia’s Top 5 Recycle-Bowl Competitors:

1. Cass Middle School, Cartersville, GA

2. New Hope Middle School, Dalton, GA

3. Pleasant Grove Elementary, Dalton, GA

4. Robert Shaw Traditional Theme School, Scottdate, GA

5. Brighten Academy, Douglasville, GA

The total amount of school only recyclables recovered nationwide during the 2013 competition added up to 6.4 million pounds, which in turn prevented the release of nearly 8,913 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCE). In real-world terms, this reduction in greenhouse gases is equivalent to the annual emissions from 473 passenger cars.

 “Inspiring young people to recycle at school reinforces the importance of recycling everywhere, whether at home or on the go,” said Jennifer Jehn, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “We are also pleased that so many schools use the competition to improve existing recycling programs or develop new ones that didn’t exist prior to their participation.”

Delayed Opening, Thursday, January 30, 2014

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The Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority has announced a delayed opening of 9:00 am for Thursday, January 30, 2014 due to inclement weather at the Whitfield County Landfill and Convenience Centers.  

Locations include the Old Dixie Landfill & Convenience Center, McGaughey Chapel Convenience Center, Westside Convenience Center, and the M.L. King Convenience Center.  

** If traveling to the Old Dixie Hwy. location in the morning, please use George Brock Rd. **

For more information call the main office at 706-277-2545.  For maps and directions to each site visit the Directions page on this site.

CLOSED on Wednesday, January 29, 2014

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All Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority locations will be closed on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 due to inclement weather.  Locations include the Old Dixie Hwy. Landfill & Convenience Center, McGaughey Chapel Convenience Center, Westside Convenience Center, and the M.L. King Convenience Center.  For maps and directions to each site visit our Convenience Center page.  For more information call the main office at 706-277-2545.