Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory took time from her busy schedule last week to see firsthand the vital work Island Green Living Association is doing on St. John to expand sustainability. Included in the tour was the recycling center where Island Green recently marked the 1,000,000th can crushed. Along with Kim Harrigan, legislative assistant/researcher, the senator met with Harith Wickrema, president; Kelly McKinney, executive director; Anthony Novelli, operations manager; and Kat Bodish, ReSource Depot manager.
“I commend Island Green on the trailblazing sustainability programs they have initiated on St. John and congratulate them on reaching the one million milestone of aluminum cans processed for recycling,” said Sen. Frett-Gregory. “We all must pay attention to what’s happening in our environment and on our islands and be deliberate in our contributions to making changes.”
“Senator Frett-Gregory demonstrates true dedication to the environment,” said Wickrema. “Likewise, she shares our excitement about the governor’s commitment and support of recycling.”
In addition to the aluminum recycling center, the senator toured the ReSource Depot thrift shop, which has kept more 575,000 pounds of used building materials and household items from the landfill; the Brush Chipping Program, which has processed 4,500 cubic yards of green and brown debris to date, allowing this rich resource to remain on island; the Composting Pilot Project with Sustainable Generation and Gore; and the Island Green-sponsored aquaponics and hydroponics programs at Gifft Hill School.
Established in 2004, Island Green Living Association is a registered 501 (c)(3) not for profit organization on St. John dedicated to sustainability throughout the USVI. (www.islandgreenliving.org)