Fayetteville won the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality's annual Environmental Stewardship Award on Friday for the city's recycling efforts.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson presented the award at his first trip to the department's North Little Rock headquarters since he became governor more than three months ago.
Hutchinson said protecting the environment while respecting business interests is something he's valued since he grew up on a farm in Gravette near a stream his family enjoyed.
"That's where my heart is, and we applaud what you're doing," he told all six finalists for the award.
The award has been given each year since 2005, and Fayetteville had made frequent appearances as a finalist.
Fayetteville was chosen this year from six finalists for the city's education and marketing program to promote recycling in the community, called "Recycle Something."
The city saved more than $213,000 in landfill costs and earned more than $598,000 by selling compost from yard waste collections, according to a department news release.
About 100 people, including nominated groups and past winners, attended the presentation.
The other nominated groups were Camfil Air Pollution Control in Jonesboro for its sustainability program; Goodwill Industries of Arkansas for its sustainability program; Kraft Foods Group for sustainability and recycling in Fort Smith; the Lake Fayetteville Environmental Science Center for its education, outreach and conservation efforts; and the Saline County Regional Solid Waste District for its outreach program for teenagers.
NW News on 04/25/2015