Woolwich 'CARES' Award Presented To Safety-Kleen Canada

Breslau's Safety-Kleen Canada Presented With Woolwich CARES Award

Environmental Project Recognized For Benefit To Woolwich Residents

WOOLWICH – The first ever Woolwich CARES Award was presented at the Monday, June 6, Woolwich Township Council meeting. Ms. Inga Rinne, on behalf of the Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC), presented the Woolwich CARES Award to Safety-Kleen Canada.

The word ‘CARES’ is an acronym for ‘community award in recognition of environmental stewardship’. The award was created as a way to recognize corporations who undertake environmental projects because it is both the right thing to do, and it also provides benefits to the community of which the business is a part of, opposed to solely their bottom-line.

In May, 2015, there were 24 barrels of hazardous waste dumped in the sugar bush of a farm, in Conestogo. After conducting an investigation, it was discovered that there were several barrels containing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), an extremely harmful pollutant. Safety-Kleen, in partnership with another company, was able to offer their expertise to help clean up the toxic mess, which no one else was prepared to take responsibility for. The cost of removing this hazardous waste would have cost the farm owner an estimated $10,000.

“Our thanks to Safety-Kleen for stepping up and offering their expertise and support to the community in this way. The leadership of Safety-Kleen in doing the ‘right thing’ and the leadership of TWEEC in creating this award, speak to the generosity and depth of character we value so much in the Township," said Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz

“Safety-Kleen is more than deserving of the CARES Award this evening. Contrary to what we sometimes like to believe, corporations are actually made up of real people who share a sense of responsibility for the communities in which they provide employment and earn income. I want to thank you and your employees for the leadership and compassion that you have shown in this instance. I hope that your actions will be an inspiration to both companies and individuals in realizing that they can do their part in creating a better environment in our community," said Inga Rinne, TWEEC Member and Chair of Woolwich Healthy Communities

The award was crafted by Laurie Spieker and Matt Cowan, local glass and wood artisans