Earthworks Recycling has been recognized by the Sustainable Business Community of the Tuckasegee Watershed (SBC) as the recipient of the first Green Turtle award.

The Green Turtle Award is given to that business that “best exemplifies the values of community economics, environmental awareness, and social equity in the Tuckasegee watershed,” according to Jeannette Evans of the SBC.

“We admire the way that Earthworks Recycling combines a useful service with the mission of keeping materials out of the landfill and moving them back into productive use. Tom Volkes and Laurie Dorris, owners of the company, have a strong work ethic and they keep the highest standards,” said Evans, president of the SBC.

Earthworks was begun by Volkes and Dorris four years ago after a trip to one of the early versions of Jackson County’s Staffed Recycling Centers.

“It was inconvenient, to say the least, and it made us think that there might be people who would like an alternative,” Volkes said.

They also saw a lot of reusable materials heading to the landfill and thought of the cost to the county and the cost to the environment. This formed the basis of their commitment to recycling. Earthworks picks up wastes at the house door, sorts and completely separates each load, and sees that each item gets to its proper destination at the recycling center. “We are a recycling company. We’re not trash haulers,” Volkes said adamantly.

“As far as I know, we are the only company in the county in which recycling is part of the basic service and does not cost extra,” he said.

As well as the usual paper, glass, and plastic, Earthworks recycles fluorescent lights, car batteries, computer printers, and other materials not covered in the county program.

Volkes also helps to influence county solid waste policies as a member of the Jackson County Solid Waste Advisory Board.

Earthworks has recently diversified by offering a line of products made of recycleable and biodegradable materials: trash bags, forks, spoons, knives, and hot and cold cups, all made of corn starch; and compostable paper plates.

When they first thought of starting their own company, Volkes was a carpenter and Dorris was working as an operating room nurse. They both were looking for a career change and liked the idea of running their own independent business. Today, they still like their role as entrepreneurs.

“The hours are longer, but the freedom is great. It is very satisfying to be in charge of our own lives and our own futures. We may not always make the right decisions, but we always know that they are our decisions,”said Volkes.

To contact Earthworks Recycling, call 631.9153.

Evans says that the Green Turtle Award gets its title from the name of our major river.

“Tuckaseigee” is a rough rendering of the Cherokee words which mean "place of the turtle."

The Sustainable Business Community, which initiated the award, is an organization of locally-owned businesses that practice and promote environmental awareness and social justice in their daily operations. The group and its member businesses are dedicated to building a strong and self-reliant local economy in the Tuckaseigee watershed. To contact the Sustainable Business Community, write to Box 661; Sylva, NC 28779 or call Jeannette Evans at 293.3096.

 

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