Local Leaders Honored for Their Environmental Stewardship
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In recognition of Earth Month 2025, County Executive Ken Jenkins and Westchester County’s Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) hosted the 6th annual Eco Awards at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers. The Eco Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the environment and sustainability made by residents, students, schools, municipalities, businesses and other organizations.
Jenkins said: “The achievements of this year’s winners benefit all of us, who live and work in Westchester County. We’re proud to celebrate these individuals and organizations from across the County for their exceptional contributions to sustainability. Those being honored today are truly deserving of our recognition and gratitude.”
DEF Commissioner Vincent Kopicki said: “It’s a privilege for the Department of Environmental Facilities to host the Eco Awards every year and to acknowledge the impressive achievements of the award winners. Each one has made an outstanding contribution to Westchester’s environment.”
DEF First Deputy Commissioner Louis Vetrone said: “The contributions of this year’s Eco Award recipients exhibit a deep dedication to Westchester’s environment. Our residents are committed to improving our local environment and it is a significant reason why Westchester is recognized as a regional leader in environmental stewardship and sustainability.”
2025 Eco Award Honorees:
The City of Yonkers: For expanding its green fleet to reduce the City’s carbon footprint.
John Paulding Elementary School and W.L. Morse School: For developing and implementing the “Wasteless Horseman” composting program, which resulted in diverting 92 pounds of food scraps per day from the waste stream in 2024.
Robison: For moving to a cleaner form of heating oil that blends regular heating oil and biodiesel, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The City of Rye: For achieving the highest municipal curbside recycling rate in Westchester County in 2024.
The Village of Scarsdale: For achieving the highest percent reduction in waste in Westchester County in 2024.
Dakota Cameron: For research contributions focused on reducing the environmental impacts of plastic fibers from the fast fashion industry.
Purchase College State University of New York: For the College’s leadership and initiative in implementing numerous waste reduction programs.
Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) (Adamaris Flores-Alvarez, Ava Blount, Hawa Massaquoi, Jahneil Palmer, Kalyn Chisholm, Kelvin Roopchand, Maya Shetty, and Niell Jackson): For educating the residents of Westchester County about the importance of proper cooking oil disposal and promoting accessible recycling options.
Retake-Remake: For promoting creative reuse, environmental awareness, and community by providing affordable reclaimed art materials.
Repair Café Hudson Valley: For leadership in hosting community events throughout Westchester that encourage repair and reuse of broken appliances to reduce the amount of material thrown away.
CGA Studio Architects (Christina Griffin Architect PC): For excellence in design, resulting in the first LEED Platinum passive home in Westchester County.
Daniel Colombini: For his commitment to the environment and sustainability through the commission of the first LEED Platinum home in Westchester County.
Mamaroneck Avenue School (Conor Burke, Xavier Frantz, Kaellum Powell, Luca Naclerio, Isaac Elkin): For leading a school-wide plastic bag collection effort and educating students about the impacts of plastic bags on the environment.
A D’ZINE: For repurposing vintage materials received through donations into jewelry to promote eco-friendly practices.
Suzie Ross: For community-based environmental work to combat the climate crisis.
Westchester County remains a leader in recycling and environmental programs. DEF remains focused on offering programs that promote and expand access to food scrap recycling, waste reduction, and compost giveaways for residents across the County. These programs include the first two Household Recycling Days (HRDs) of the year, one in northern Westchester at FDR State Park, and one in southern Westchester at Sprain Ridge Park, which are planned for April 26 and May 3, respectively.
In addition to the three Compost Giveaway events already held in April, DEF will host a fourth Compost Giveaway event this Sunday, April 27, at the Household Materials Recycling Facility in Valhalla, offering residents an opportunity to pick up free compost produced on-site at the CompostED facility in Valhalla.
For more information on these Earth Month events and more, please visit Facebook.com/WestchesterCountyDEF or call the Recycling Help Line (914) 813-5425.
