For the first time Eastern has won the Tim McClure Award for Outstanding Environmental and Community Leadership for reaching out to area businesses and organizing them to recycle.

The award was presented by the National Recycling Coalition and was announced on Sept. 9 at the 21st Annual Congress and Exposition in Austin, Texas.

“Our winners represent diverse and dynamic recycling programs and practices that deserve attention and praise from across the nation,” Meg Morris, president of the National Recycling Coalition said, in a press release.

The university has a special relationship with the community when it comes to recycling that put them in the running for the award, said Allen Rathe, recycling coordinator. The recycling department works closely with area businesses and organizations to spread its’ recycling success.

The university recycles a variety of materials such as paper, cardboard, books, magazines, metal and toilets.

Many other establishments would like to be able to recycle the same materials if they knew how, he said.

Rathe took on a personal mission to spread his knowledge about the importance of recycling and how to execute a successful program. However, he said he feels all students and faculty should take pride in the award because they take the first steps by caring.

“Without them, the recycling program would not be a success,” he said. “This is everybody’s award including the students. They do the recycling to begin with.”

Businesses like McCleod USA and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center have recently come to Rathe asking how to mimic the university’s recycling program.

He goes into the business and analyzes three aspects to evaluate recycling potential. He gauges the establishments intentions, gives them ideas on how to carry out a successful recycling program and helps them carry out the program.

Space and budget are the main problems that can keep a business from recycling, but Rathe said his experience at Eastern allows him to pinpoint alternatives and work through any problems.

“I feel it’s a part of my job and helps with public relations in the community,” he said.

“I’m proud of the university and the community as a whole.”