VIA Manager of Environmental Services Kevin Scott and Environmental Specialist Ellen Erlewein, oversee the transit agency’s Environmental and Sustainability Management System, that has been internationally recognized for its efforts.
VIA Metropolitan Transit was recently recognized by the City of San Antonio’s Solid Waste Management Department with the Gold ReWorksSA Recycling Certification for its recycling efforts.
The award spotlights local organizations that display a significant role in improving the environment and economic profile of the city of San Antonio by following best practices for waste reduction and recycling.
Solid Waste Management Division Manager David Newman presented the award on Tuesday, March, 10, 2020, to VIA President and CEO Jeff Arndt, and other VIA staff members, including Vice President of Fleet and Facilities Sam Marra, and Director of Fleet and Facilities Operations Support Services Tommy Johns.
VIA Manager of Environmental Services Kevin Scott and Environmental Specialist Ellen Erlewein, who spearhead the recycling efforts at VIA, also attended the presentation.
“This award recognizes our commitment to sustainability,” Arndt said. “Particularly in this case with respect to solid waste management, and recycling materials. We are completely dedicated to every aspect of environmental responsibility.”
The ReWorksSA program, which started in 2018, has a set of multiple factors for consideration of the recycling certification. Representatives of the city’s Solid Waste Management Department examine the amount of recyclable materials that are actually being recycled.
“It takes a real commitment to be a steward of that company’s practices,” Newman said. “In most cases, the entire staff has to be on board; there has to be a financial commitment to implement a recycling program, and VIA has been able to do that.”
Newman said in addition to the obvious recycling of paper and cardboard, VIA has gone to great efforts in recycling motor oil, lubricants, batteries and other items in the fleet and facilities shop.
Photo at top: Solid Waste Management Division Manager David Newman (center), presents VIA Vice President of Fleet and Facilities Sam Marra (left) and VIA President and CEO Jeff Arndt, with the Gold ReWorksSA Recycling Certification on March 10, 2020.