Outstanding District Individual Steward Award
 

John E. Haines, Executive director of the Miami County Solid Waste Management District was the recipient of the 2007 Outstanding District Individual Steward award. This award was presented at the annual conference for the Association of Indiana Solid Waste Management Districts, Inc.

In the picture, John Haines is on the left, and Lance Hodge, Executive Director of the Association of Indiana Solid Waste Management Districts, Inc. is on the right.

This award recognizes leaders dedicated to protecting and improving Indiana's environment through environmental education and progressive integrated solid waste management practices, emphasizing waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
 

Haines took over the Solid Waste Management District Executive Director position in January 2003. Haines has implemented new programs and many improvements to existing programs while serving as Executive Director. Haines has lowered the yearly user fee from $22.00 to $20.00 per residence or business. He has added collections for old and expired medications, along with collections for used needles and sharps. Haines has also added a program for the recycling of electronic items.

The improvements of the existing programs include expanding the number of Beautification Days to two per year, and moving the Tire collection days to different times of the year, instead of having them all in one month. A fifth Tire Day was added to the program. The drop-off sites throughout the county were redesigned to be more attractive and also to double the capacity of recyclable items that can be dropped off. An additional drop-off site was added at Eagle's Point. The large appliance pickup program was expanded to include pick up of console TVs, couches, recliner chairs, bed springs, and mattresses. Haines has expanded the Household Hazardous Waste collection program from one day per year to one day per month from March through November.

Information about any of the Solid Waste District's programs can be found on our Programs page or by calling the office at 765-472-7224.