Many Centre County businesses, schools and organizations were recently distinguished with a Pennsylvania Waste Watchers Award.

The award recognizes recycling, waste reduction, reuse and composting programs in the state that have exhibited exemplary performance. The program is sponsored by the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania, a statewide recycling organization.

This year, more than 100 municipalities, counties, private businesses, individuals and community organizations from throughout the state are being recognized for going above and beyond what is mandated under Pennsylvania’s Act 101 recycling law for their communities or programs.

Of the 114 municipalities, counties, schools, businesses and community organizations from throughout Pennsylvania being recognized, 42 are located right here in Centre County.

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority would like to congratulate all those listed below for exhibiting extraordinary performance and going above and beyond the recycling and waste reduction call of duty. They will receive a Waste Watchers Award plaque later this fall.

The county winners are: American Association of University Women, Autoport Restaurant, Bellefonte Elementary School, Bellefonte Area High School, Benjamin’s Catering, Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority, Chili’s Grill/New to You, Corl Street Elementary School, Corner Room, Deli Restaurant, Easterly Parkway Elementary School, Envinity Inc., Ferguson Township Elementary School, Fox-dale Village, Grace Lutheran Church, Grace Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten, Gray’s Woods Elementary School, Harris Township — Memorial Day Festival, Houserville Elementary School, Kelley’s Steak and Seafood, Mount Nittany Middle School, Nittany Christian School, Nittany Garden Apartments, Nittany Lion Inn, Omar Bar, Park Forest Elementary School, The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, Penns Valley Area School District, Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District, Penn State School of Hospitality Management, Sharkie’s Bar, State College Area High School Green Sierra Coalition, State

College Friends School, State College Spikes, Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania, State College borough, Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair, Coca-Cola Co., of Milesburg, Prom Attire Event, Wingate Elementary School, Wegmans State College and Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania Charter School.

While I am on a roll recognizing those in the recycling field, I would like to share with you the winner of PROP’s 5th annual Recycling Film Festival, which was held at the group’s annual conference in Lancaster on July 25. A short film titled “Ruby’s Recycling Ruckus” was voted as best entry to this year’s festival.

“Ruby’s Recycling Ruckus” features 10-year-old Ruby and her family, who have a strong reuse, reduce and recycle ethic. I was extremely proud of this video because Ruby is my niece. Along with winning the festival, the film also took home the $500 first prize, which was sponsored by ReCommunity Recycling, a Charlotte, N.C.-based firm with a zero-waste vision toward recovering recyclables.

If you would like to watch “Ruby’s Recycling Ruckus,” visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=OpxDpn2gnN0. As always, thanks for recycling.

Amy Schirf is education coordinator for the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority. For more recycling news, sign up for the authority’s email newsletter by emailing at amyschirf@uplink.net,

or by “liking” the authority on Facebook.