At the 24th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium in April, Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell announced the winners of the 2013 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards, recognizing the significant contributions and spirit of innovation and leadership of companies and organizations all across the Commonwealth in two categories: sustainability and land conservation.

One of the Gold Medal winners – selected based on criteria including environmental benefit, stakeholder involvement, public outreach, transferability and innovation – was the Prince William County’s Solid Waste Division for its Sustainability Program, which encompasses cutting-edge initiatives in recycling, alternative energy, water quality, storm water protection, erosion control, air quality, material reuse and habitat development.

Jenny Boeder, Environmental Specialist; Tom Smith, Solid Waste Division Chief; and, Bernie Osilka, Solid Waste Division Engineer II

Some of the results of the Division’s efforts, which operates the only active landfill in the state that has been accepted into the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program at the E4 level – the highest level of the program – include the 2012 “Audubon at Home” wildlife sanctuary designation at the landfill, and the prolonged life expectancy of the landfill to the year 2065 through citizen education and expanded recycling and composting opportunities.

GBB congratulates Prince William County for its dynamism and achievements, and is proud to be currently assisting them with important initiatives such as the Prince William Energy Park (PWEP), the development of a demonstration plant of an emerging MSW WTE conversion technology, and development of solar and/or wind energy project(s) at its landfill.