Peggy Grayson is recycling.
For 16 years she has been administrator of GLOW Solid Waste Management and was recognized by the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling last month in Cooperstown as Recycler of the Year.
"They started to describe the Recycler of the Year, and it sounds like they are describing me," she says. "I talk a lot and I was speechless. I was honored. It's a pretty big award."
Grayson who is a Le Roy native and resident of Stafford says she has been to every annual conference.
"You pick up things and make contacts and find out new things you don't know."
The State Association describes Grayson as "inspirational and always willing to go the extra mile on a shoestring budget."
Grayson is the only employee covering Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston counties. Orleans County dropped out nine years ago.
Working out of County Building #2 on West Main Street, Grayson says GLOW is one of the largest surviving multiple county groups in New York State.
"It's a validation of the counties sticking together and working together. We have very low overhead."
The total county contibution is $72,000.
Her most successful venture has been the Household Hazardous Waste Collection each year. Using the County Highway Department, they have gone from 150 spots in 1996 to 600 spots last year.
"We get rid of a lot of stuff," Grayson says.
She will continue to spread the recycling word to youngsters throughout the GLOW Region. She says she has fun going into the schools and presenting information about recycling and reuse. She says kids are always asking her what's new. She hopes they relay her message to their parents, too.
To contact Peggy Grayson for recycling, reduction and reuse questions you can e-mail her at glow@co.genesee.ny.us or call 585-344-2580, ext. 5463.
