COLUMBIA, SC – Madaline Braxton, Alysen Woodruff and Charley Butts were named Recycling Professionals of the Year during the 13th annual Recycle Guys Awards Program, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.

“The annual awards program recognizes the top recycling programs, people and projects, and allows us to recognize and thank those who make recycling work in the state," said Kent Coleman, director of DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling. "Recycling works because of the local programs."

“Madaline Braxton, recycling coordinator for Clarendon County, was honored for her commitment to recycling as well as her efforts to expand the county’s cardboard recycling program," Coleman said. "Alysen Woodruff’s enthusiasm and energy resulted in the City of Greenville recycling 175 tons more than in the previous year. Charley Butts was recognized for improving Clemson University’s cardboard recycling efforts resulting in twice as much cardboard being recycled at half the cost compared to the year before."

Coleman said Ed Marr of the City of Greenville and Jim Minor of Beaufort County were named Solid Waste Directors of the Year for their work in support of waste reduction and recycling and that Rep. Laurie Slade Funderburk of Kershaw County was recognized for her work to promote electronics recycling and to encourage state government to buy more environmentally-friendly computers.

"Andrew Talkish, a 6-year-old from Columbia, became a nationally known recycler when he appeared on the 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' in October, was recognized for lending a helping hand to his neighborhood recycling program by sorting recyclables onto the City of Columbia’s recycling truck," Coleman said. "Vincent Gallman, the driver of the recycling truck who always welcomed Talkish’s help and enthusiasm was honored as well."

The City of Rock Hill was honored as the Outstanding Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling Program. Clarendon County (less than 50,000 population), Pickens County (more than 50,000 and less than 150,000 population) and York County (more than 150,000 population) were named Outstanding County Waste Reduction and Recycling programs.

The S.C. Department of Transportation (State Agency), Charleston Air Force Base (Federal Facility) and Bob Jones University (College or University) were named Outstanding Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs in their respective categories. Dorchester County was honored as the Outstanding Local Government Used Oil Recycling Program.

Denise Applewhite of Conway Middle School was named Recycling Teacher of the Year while one of her students, Markquez A. Jamison, was named Recycling Student of the Year. St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School of Spartanburg and North Myrtle Beach High School were named Recycling Schools of the Year.

Leadership York County (Class of 2007 Environmental Team) was named the Volunteer of the Year while Tina Harmer of York County was honored as the Most Valuable Player.

2007 Recycle Guys Award Winners

The award recipients listed below were honored March 4, 2008 at the 13th Annual Recycle Guys Awards Program.

• Recycling Professional of the Year - County: Madaline Braxton, Clarendon County
• Recycling Professional of the Year - Municipality: Alysen Woodruff, City of Greenville
• Recycling Professional of the Year - College/University: Charley Butts, Clemson University
• Solid Waste Directors: Ed Marr, City of Greenville and Jim Minor, Beaufort County
• Outstanding County Waste Reduction/Recycling Program – Large Population:York County
• Outstanding County Waste Reduction/Recycling Program – Medium Population: Pickens County
• Outstanding County Waste Reduction/Recycling Program – Small Population: Clarendon County
• Outstanding Municipal Waste Reduction/Recycling Program: City of Rock Hill
• Outstanding Local Government Used Oil Recycling Program: Dorchester County
• Outstanding Federal Facility Waste Reduction/Recycling Program: Charleston Air Force Base
• Outstanding State Agency Waste Reduction/Recycling Program: S.C. Department of Transportation
• Outstanding College or University Waste Reduction/Recycling Program: Bob Jones University
• Recycling Student of the Year: Markquez A. Jamison, Conway Middle School, Horry County
• Recycling Schools of the Year: North Myrtle Beach High School, Horry County and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School, Spartanburg County
• Recycling Teacher of the Year: Denise Applewhite, Conway Middle School, Horry County
• Volunteer of the Year Award: Leadership York County - Class of 2007 Environmental Team
• Most Valuable Player Award: Tina Harmer , York County
• Special Recognition Awards: Rep. Laurie Slade Funderburk, Andrew Talkish and Vincent Gallman, City of Columbia
• DHEC Recycling Coordinator of the Year: Sarah Daniels, Environmental Quality Control, Region 1
• Recycling Center Attendant Recognition Awards: Earl B. Holley, Aiken County; Roy Waters, Anderson County; Mikkie Murden, Bamberg County; Maude Sanders, Barnwell County; Carl Pierce, Berkeley County; Ruthie Mitchell, Charleston County; Phyllis Russell, Cherokee County; Homer Harmon, Chester County; Gerald Chapman, Chesterfield County; Bobby Evans (in memoriam), Clarendon County; James Buckner, Colleton County; Henry Byrd, Darlington County; Betty Sue Moody, Dillon County; Barbara Carn, Dorchester County; Don Presley, Edgefield County; Solomon Robinson, Fairfield County; Joe Williams, Florence County; Alonzo Mills, Greenville County; Lula M. Brown, Hampton County; Harold Pharr, Horry County; Franklin Jenkins, Jasper County; Jeff McKinney, Jr., Kershaw County; Ben Morris, Lancaster County; Carroll Nichols, Lee County; Kwame White, Lexington County; Jerry Lewis, Marion County; Truman Lilly, Marlboro County; Gloria Glasscock, McCormick County; Cecil Alewine, Newberry County; Freddie Phillips, Orangeburg County; Edward Lesley, Pickens County; Aughtry Snelgrove, Saluda County; Hubert Waldrep, Spartanburg County; Stanley Montgomery, Sumter County; King Fulton, Williamsburg County; and Bascom Dewitt, York County.