The Chickasaw Nation was recently recognized for its environmentally-friendly efforts by the Ada Jobs Foundation during the group's Business and Industry Night Out banquet, conducted in July.
Governor Bill Anoatubby presented the Environmental award to Housing and Tribal Development Administrator Wayne Scribner and Environmental Service Director Linda Robins in recognition of their leadership in this area.
The recently-opened tribal ReUse Center, located in Ada, is one example of the tribes' commitment to provide an innovative, practical way to recycle household and construction goods while benefiting the entire community.
Open to public, the ReUse Center accepts reusable furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, household and kitchen items, paint, cleaning products and building materials. Community members may take what they need from the ReUse Center free of charge.
Since opening January 2010, the ReUse Center has handled more than 141,300 pounds of material and has served more than 9,200 customers. On average, 1,233 pounds of material are diverted from the waste stream each day the center is in operation.
The ReUse Center is only the second of its kind in the state of Oklahoma and the second Native American-owned reuse center in the United States.
The Chickasaw Nation ReUse Center is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located 2205 North Broadway.
The tribe has also participated in several earth-friendly events geared toward protecting the earth and reducing waste including the inaugural "Green Expo" in Ada and an Earth Day celebration.
The Chickasaw Nation hosted the second annual Earth Day celebration in April by collecting unwanted computers, televisions, cameras, cell phones, VCRs, DVD players, radios and other e-wastes at the ReUse Center.
White goods such as stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, window a/c units and freezers were also collected, along with more than 8,000 pounds of unwanted paper and documents. A shredding truck was on site to shred the documents.
The free event also included collection of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications by the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department. The medications are scheduled to be properly disposed to prevent misuse and pollution. Recent studies have shown traces of pharmaceuticals in streams and rivers as a result of medications being poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet.
Conducted in Ada, the "Oklahoma Green Expo" included presentations from the Oklahoma secretary of the environment and others.
The theme was what citizens can do to make the area more green, as well as how doing so is great for business and the economy.
Other activities included demonstrations for adults and fun activities for kids that highlighted the importance of adopting a green lifestyle.
"The Chickasaw Nation is always a vital partner when we want to look at new ideas and concepts," said Ada Jobs Foundation President and CEO Mike Southard.
"Without the Chickasaw Nation's partnership the Green Expo would not have occurred, we were trying to do something that had never been done before and think outside of the box and the Chickasaw Nation was very responsive. The Chickasaw Nation is a wonderful community partner."
The Chickasaw Nation has also participated several household hazardous waste collections and workshops in the past few years.
During the collections, community members brought hazardous waste, such as paint and motor oil, for safe, free disposal.
Teaching the next generation about environmental stewardship is also a top priority for the Chickasaw Nation.
Each May, an Environmental Camp is offered to area students, ages 8 to 12. Participants get a behind-the-scenes look at many facilities, including the waste-water treatment plant and the local landfill. Lessons on conservation efforts and environmental concerns are also presented.
Other environmentally-conscience efforts made by the Chickasaw Nation include installing solar panels on Carl Albert Indian Health Facility, back in the late 1970s; and using sustainable building materials in each building project.
For more information about the Chickasaw Nation's conservation efforts, contact the Chickasaw Nation Environmental Services at (580) 272-5456.
