Waste Management CEO Receives Award from Wildlife Habitat Council

David P. Steiner, chief executive officer of Waste Management (WM), received the first Conservation Education and Outreach (C.E.O.) Award on behalf of Waste Management from the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) at the council's 20th Annual Symposium recently.

The William W. Howard C.E.O. Award, named in honor of the late president of WHC, is the organization's most prestigious award. The award honors a corporate member organization for its combined efforts in providing educational experiences, access to quality education opportunities, and the opportunity to experience personal contact with the natural world to its employees and the surrounding community.

"The C.E.O. Award recognizes the exemplary effort of a corporation which demonstrates that one of the best ways to ensure long-term sustainability of conservation programs is to have strong engagement on the human level," said Robert Johnson, WHC's president.

"Through developing comprehensive habitat management practices, providing educational opportunities, and partnering with conservation and environmental groups, universities and communities, Waste Management has achieved wildlife habitat certification at 49 of its landfill sites," said Steiner upon receiving his award.

Waste Management landfills provide more than 19,000 acres of protected land for wetlands and wildlife habitat, which are carefully managed in partnership with conservationists, universities, and environmental groups. Many of these projects provide refuge for threatened or endangered species. They also serve to broaden understanding of wildlife and environmental values through environmental education, volunteer participation, and community outreach.

"Having our CEO recognized for his leadership in conservation and sustainability by the Wildlife Habitat Council is a proud accomplishment for Waste Management," said Bob Peeler, spokesperson for 3Cycle. "We strive to promote environmental accountability and corporate sustainability with all of our projects. For instance the proposed 3Cycle project will be a national model for reducing, recycling and reusing waste in an efficient manner," Peeler added.

The proposed 3Cycle Cherokee County Environmental Management Center is committed to helping Cherokee County waste less, reuse more and live better, by ensuring that the latest technology and environmental practices are put into action. Wildlife management and protection is also an important component of 3Cycle. In fact, over 1,100 acres of 3Cycle's property will be dedicated to a wildlife preserve, and an Eco-Learning Center will also be on site to teach students and the community the importance of reducing, recycling and reusing waste.