Whitney Calio has been an Environmental Program Coordinator with
Oakland County Waste Resource Management for almost six years. Prior to that she worked as the Solid Waste Director in Calhoun County. She studied Environmental & Natural Resource Policy Studies from Michigan State where she earned a bachelor's degree in science. She lives in Berkley with her husband and two young sons.
Question: As environmental program coordinator, what are some of the projects you're working on?
Answer: The main programs I am working on right now are the
North Oakland Household Hazardous Waste Program (NO HAZ) and the
Michigan Green Schools Program, in partnership with Oakland Schools.
Q: One of those projects is the NO HAZ program, explain what that is?
A: NO HAZ is a consortium of communities that have come together to provide household hazardous waste collection events for their residents. Oakland County Waste Resource Management facilitates the program for the communities. (
Here's a video
Prosper did in October about the NO HAZ program.)
Q: What exactly is household hazardous waste?
A: Household hazardous waste is the unwanted or unusable portions of household products that might be harmful to human health or the environment if not disposed of properly. Examples include paints, stains, household cleaners, batteries, yard chemicals, automotive fluids, computer and electronic equipment, and more. For more details, residents can log onto our website at
www.nohaz.com.
Q: What kind of successes have you seen?
A: For the past several years, the increase in the number of residents participating in NO HAZ events has been astounding. During our largest collection last year, over 2,400 residents attended the 6-hour event.
Q: Have there been any changes from last year?
A: There are several changes this year. Our member communities are either charging residents $10 to participate, or certain communities are requiring a voucher from the communities. Residents can visit the website at
www.nohaz.com for details. Also, a handful of communities dropped out of the program this year.
Q: For some of those communities that are no longer part of the program, what can they do to still participate?
A: The communities that have dropped from the program are working to put alternative information on their websites about private companies that will handle certain types of waste. Residents should visit these websites or can also call Oakland County Waste Resource Management at 248-858-1352 for information.
Q: You also mentioned the Michigan Green Schools program. What is that?
A: The MI Green Schools Program is a statewide initiative by which a school can achieve Green School status by successfully undertaking 10 of 20 environmental and energy savings activities. Oakland County's program is headed by Oakland Schools, in partnership with Oakland County. We have joined forces with Macomb and Wayne Counties to create the Southeast Michigan Green School Initiative. Our three counties have collaborated and shared resources on many green school fronts to strengthen the program in our region. Between our three counties, approximately 350 schools are being designated green this year. Based upon the enthusiasm and requests of many of our schools, our group has added additional activities to participate in, as well as offered two higher levels of designation. Schools can achieve Emerald status by participating in 15 activities, and Evergreen status by participating in 20 activities.
Q: What kind of growth has the program seen?
A: The program has experienced tremendous growth. Oakland County has 171 schools participating in the program this year. This is up from 98 last year, and 45 the previous year. I am very proud to say that of our 171 schools being designated this year, 128 are being designated Emerald or Evergreen.
Q: Why do you think it has grown so much?
A: The Michigan Green Schools program is a fantastic opportunity to engage children in thinking about being more environmentally conscious. It provides them with hands on programs and practices where they can see their actions making a difference. Educators recognize the enthusiasm, pride and ownership that students have for these types of programs. It is contagious, and they all want to do more. The students take this knowledge to share with their parents. Many schools have also recognized cost savings by implementing energy efficiency measures, which makes this an important and practical program for the schools.
Q: Do you see environmental initiatives growing in Oakland County? Why?
A: Absolutely. I believe that overall, people are becoming greener in their thinking. Whether it is considering how best to dispose of something, turning off lights when not in use, or taking reusable bags when going shopping, there is a conscious effort to make environmentally friendly choices. Obviously, the economic benefits of some of these choices are also playing a big role in this behavior, especially in the business sector. In these tough economic times, people and businesses are looking to save a little wherever they can. I think (and hope) this trend will continue.
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