NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The county’s recycling and solid waste director received state recognition for his environmental stewardship.
Joe Suleyman received the Pelican Award from the North Carolina Coastal Federation, presented at the 2023 Taste of the Coast celebration.
“I am truly humbled and honored by this recognition from the NC Coastal Federation,” Suleyman said in a press release. “Our goal with Recycling and Solid Waste is to be as efficient as possible in how we dispose of things, but also to minimize the impact that process has on the environment around us. I’m grateful that our community has embraced so many of the ideas and programs we have established and hope they feel a sense of pride knowing they are helping protect our natural resources here in New Hanover County.”
The award honors Suleyman’s initiatives that encourage responsible waste disposal and recycling efforts, including oyster shell recycling, the HazWagon program and the wastewater treatment process associated with the county landfill.
The oyster shell program helps keep used oyster shells out of the garbage, allowing them to be reused for restoring reefs and replenishing the oyster supply on the coast. A 10-yard dumpster is located in Wrightsville Beach for dumping used shells.
The HazWagon is a mobile unit with different stops throughout New Hanover County that collects materials that should not go in the landfill, such as electronics.
“Joe continues to be a driving force behind creating and implementing practices that are mindful of disposing things safely when necessary and recycling them when possible,” New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet said in the release. “Living at the coast, Joe has taken protecting our natural resources to heart and makes it a priority in everything he does. I’m grateful for his leadership of our Recycling and Solid Waste department and glad to see others recognize his hard work.”
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