Business News
Alcoa helping YMCA camp achieve sustainability goal
Tuesday 07. July 2009 - Alcoa Anglesea has continued its support of the Anglesea Recreation Camp in its goal to become sustainable by this week awarding a US$3000 grant to the development of an organic recycling and education centre.
The grant is part of the Alcoa Foundations ACTION (Alcoans Coming Together in Our Neighbourhoods) program, developed by the Alcoa Foundation to recognise the collective efforts of Alcoans in communities where they live and work.
The Organic Recycling & Education Centre comprises a chicken house, worm farm, composting, vegetable and herb garden that helps the camp reduce waste, while also educating and inspiring campers to be actively involved in creating a more sustainable campsite.
Alcoa Anglesea volunteers first supported the centre by helping to construct vegetable beds, pathways between garden beds and a fence around the area in December 2008.
Camp Manager Vicki Chrzanowski said shes thrilled with the Organic Recycling & Education Centre.
“Alcoas contribution to this project has been significant and we thank everyone involved very much,” Vicki said.
“What started out as an initiative to reduce our waste has more than exceeded our original aims. We have been able to reduce our waste by about two-thirds and the project has provided us with fantastic community strengthening opportunities.
“The Anglesea Primary School garden group have been preparing a PowerPoint presentation for us, which will be used to show campers how our organic recycling works and the Grade Three – Four students recently visited our centre to look at our composting. We now have a terrific facility that the whole community can be very proud of.”
Alcoa Anglesea Acting Manager Chris Rolland said ACTION grants were an important part of how Alcoa can continue to support the Angleseas community during these tough economic times.
“Alcoa Anglesea very pleased to be supporting the recycling and education centre which will make the Anglesea Recreation Camp more sustainable.
“We applaud the camp for developing its own environmental management plan and its commitment to reducing its environmental impacts.
“Caring for the wellbeing of the environment and partnering with the local community is of the highest priority for Alcoa, even during the difficult market conditions our business is currently experiencing.
“With over 1000 employees active in our employee climate change program Make an Impact, we are striving to make a difference every way we can,” Chris said.