In 1989, motivated by the success of a recycling campaign that had taken place a few months earlier in Roanoke, IN, the community of Warren assembled a diverse coalition of individuals and organizations to establish the first on-going recycling program in the county. The Community of Warren is deserving of this Award of Excellence not only because of the amount of materials recycled, but of the resilience, and adaptability to changing needs and realities. The progressive flexibility has allowed recycling in the greater Warren community to grow and mature along with the recyclables market. Recycling began at Salamonie School in Warren, IN in 1989 with the guidance and vision of a group called Parents Reaching Out. Recycling is a good idea, and it ought to be done.
Students can learn by participating in recycling programs.
Many people can contribute and benefit according to their ability and need. In order to pull off this recycling program with a totally volunteer staff required the cooperation of a diverse group of folks. From school recycling and a twice yearly community campaign, recycling had begun in the Community of Warren. Through the years recycling progressed from twice a year to once every 6 weeks, to a weekly recycling drop-off every Saturday morning from 9 am to noon. While fatigue and a waning zeal was beginning to take its toll on the all volunteer staff in the Warren Community by the early 90's, persistence and a clear vision of the future need was as strong as ever.