Congratulations to The Northland Recycling Extravaganza! The event, presented cooperatively by Parkville and Riverside, has been chosen for Outstanding Green Event by the Mid-America Regional Council. The award was presented this past Tuesday at the Solid Waste Management District Annual Luncheon and Awards Program.

This annual event takes place each April in honor of Earth Day and features a variety of vendors to collect items that aren’t easily recycled curbside.  The event also includes free paper shredding and a place to donate items for the homeless.

Northland Recycling Extravaganza is marketed metro-wide and is open to the public (not just residents of Parkville and Riverside).  In 2012, the total attendance for the event was 144 carloads.  In 2013, the attendance grew to 308 carloads.

In 2013, items collected at the Northland Recycling Extravaganza diverted a significant amount of waste away from landfills, including: 30 gallons of antifreeze, 2,000 pounds of batteries, more than 100 tires, 17 bikes, 12,900 pounds of electronics, 100 gallons of oil, 6,670 pounds of paper, 100 pounds of prescription drugs, and 100 pairs of unusable tennis shoes!

The Northland Recycling Extravaganza is just one a way to maintain and protect the region that they city must maintain in the future.  As the event grows, hopefully more citizens are encouraged citizens to recycle large items and hazardous waste.

Parkville Alderman Kendall Welch (below) was one of the event’s primary organizers.