The CANINE CAFÉ
named "2003 RECYCLER OF THE YEAR"

Charlotte, NC – Two Charlotte businesses have been recognized as “Recycler of the Year” by Mecklenburg County’s Wipe Out Waste program. At Mecklenburg County’s Business Recognition Awards Banquet on June 5, Celgard, Inc. was named Recycler of the Year among large businesses and The Canine Café among small businesses.

Celgard, Inc. and The Café received the highest award for their innovative approaches to waste disposal, commitment to business recycling and for being mentors to other companies launching recycling programs.

With 315 employees, Celgard, Inc. is a recognized leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of membrane products serving the battery and medical industries. Two years ago, when Celgard began its aggressive waste minimization program, the company had a 30-cubic yard trash compactor picked up twice a week. Today, it has an 8-yard trash dumpster picked up once a week. Celgard reduced its landfill disposal cost from $85,000 annually to less than $20,000 annually.

Some of the items recycled by Celgard last year include: 830 yards of cardboard, 2,100-lbs. of magazines and junk mail, 350-lbs. of plastic containers, 1,800-lbs. of aluminum, 85,000-lbs. of pallets, 800-lbs. of batteries, 200-lbs. of used oil, 800-lbs. o f fluorescent lights, 67 pieces of electronic equipment.

With five employees, the Canine Café ships pet products to retail locations in 16 states. The company specializes in doggy gift baskets, personalized bones, birthday cakes, etc. Barbara’s Canine Café focuses its efforts on waste reduction, rather than recycling. The company uses boxes and wrappings from neighboring retail shops to ship their products. Egg cartons and paper towel rolls are re-used as shipping materials. Ingredient containers are re-used to store dry and refrigerated goods. All product trays and paper merchandise bags are made of recycled content materials.

Other winners honored are:

• Frito Lay – Litter Award
• Linda Construction Company – Demolition Recycling Award
• Neal’s Pallet Company – Recycling Company
• Cardinal Health
• Lincoln Harris
• Duke Energy
• Plyler Paper Stock
• Hartford Insurance Business Center
• Adams Group Architects
• The FWA Group

There are more than 90 companies enrolled in the Business Recognition Program. Members must make a three-year commitment to practice waste reduction, carry on at least one recycling activity and purchase at least one recycled product. The group also has 13 mentor firms that commit to recruiting new companies and to helping other businesses start new programs.

Information about the Business Recognition Program is available at www.wipeoutwaste.com or by calling 704-336-3777.

Charlotte Magazine 2006 Best of the Best

Charlotte Observer 2003

Barbara (3rd from left) and her 2004 employees proudly stand in front of the Canine Café with their 2003 Recycler of the Year award.  Left to right ... Jimmy Dowel, Cecil Richardson, Barbara Burg, Miriam Morales, Claudia Garcia, Chris Valentine.