The National Recycling Coalition has given their Recycler of the Year-Lifetime Achievement Award to William Heenan, president of the Pittsburgh-based Steel Recycling Institute. Heenan is also Co-Chairman of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful that is dedicated to promoting anti-litter and beautification education and outreach programs.

Heenan has been with the Steel Recycling Institute since its formation in 1988 and its President since 1990.

Earlier this year Heenan and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful along with DEP, PennDOT, DCNR and many other nonprofit and private partners sponsored the first ever Great PA Cleanup that resulted in tens of thousands of volunteers cleaning up roadsides and watersheds.

He reflected on the biggest changes in recycling since his early involvement.

“Auto recycling has always been strong, but where we needed help was recycling cans and appliances,” said Heenan. “The biggest help was Act 101 (Pennsylvania’s curbside recycling law). It was a watershed event in recycling. It awakened communities to the idea they could do curbside recycling and had a nationwide impact.”

Heenan credited former Senator now Federal Judge Mike Fisher and Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) with taking a bipartisan approach to getting Act 101, a Casey Administration initiative, passed.

This is the second major national recycling award received by a Pennsylvania recycler. The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania received the Outstanding Recycling Organization of the Year Award.

NewsClip: DEP Secretary Praises Recycling Award Winners

9/10/2004