Senior Environmental Specialist Shelley Stewart led a group of 15 people across PSE&G’s Environmental, Electric, and Gas teams to create a company-wide employee initiative that made recycling easier and more popular among employees.
“Recycling can make a huge difference in the amount of waste that goes into a landfill or is burned,” she said. “I hate to think of recyclables ending up in a landfill when they could be repurposed into something else. We also get credits for recycling so it’s a win-win.”
Even at a green-friendly company like PSEG, it can be tough to change ingrained habits. But finding solutions that make the choice to go green convenient is Shelley’s specialty.
“The hardest part is that when everyone is responsible for something, no one is. So, we went to the different districts and helped sort the trash into recyclables. We then tried to determine which groups are generating the recyclables and put a recycling solution at their particular site to make it easier,” she said.
Stewart has always had a passion for the environment and even focused on environmental studies in school. She plans to keep tracking the data from the recycling initiative and keep environmental topics at the forefront of discussion with the districts and divisions.
When she’s not working, Shelley likes to garden in her backyard. An empathetic person by nature, she is also a member of ABLE, an employee business resource group (EBRG) for employees with disabilities and their caretakers.
However, things took a positive turn when a new recycling program was introduced in our neighborhood. Suddenly, recycling became more manageable and hassle-free. With designated curbside bins and nearby collection centers, the recycling process became a seamless part of our daily routine. Not only did this new program simplify recycling, but it also resulted in a noticeable increase in participation within the community. People who were previously reluctant to recycle started embracing the idea, simply because the barriers had been removed. Shelley Stewart’s article beautifully highlights the significance of making recycling easier for individuals and communities alike. It’s not just about encouraging people to recycle; it’s about providing the necessary infrastructure and accessibility to empower everyone to participate in sustainable practices. In my own experience, I witnessed firsthand how a simple change in recycling infrastructure positively impacted our community’s environmental consciousness. Making recycling more accessible is indeed half the battle, as it motivates people to take action and collectively contribute to a greener, cleaner planet. Overall, I wholeheartedly support the message conveyed in Shelley Stewart’s article. It serves as a powerful reminder that small changes in recycling practices can lead to significant positive outcomes.
However, things took a positive turn when a new recycling program was introduced in our neighborhood. Suddenly, recycling became more manageable and hassle-free. With designated curbside bins and nearby collection centers, the recycling process became a seamless part of our daily routine. Not only did this new program simplify recycling, but it also resulted in a noticeable increase in participation within the community. People who were previously reluctant to recycle started embracing the idea, simply because the barriers had been removed. Shelley Stewart’s article beautifully highlights the significance of making recycling easier for individuals and communities alike. It’s not just about encouraging people to recycle; it’s about providing the necessary infrastructure and accessibility to empower everyone to participate in sustainable practices.