University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Students Win Awards for Organics Work

Susanna Baker
Chelsea Huckbody

Susanna Baker, a junior at UWSP, received the Outstanding Achievement in Waste Reduction & Recycling – Student Award from the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin for her work since June 2018 with Rising Sand Organics (RSO). Susanna helped them to successfully carry out their curbside compost collection service and scale up their routine. She is the official Bucket-Swapper of RSO, hopping in and out of the van, truck or whatever vehicle is working that day to pick up compost buckets from residencies, businesses and RSO’s free drop-site. She is also one of five students in UWSP’s capstone class (taught by USCC board member Robert Michitsch) for waste majors (WSTE 485). In this class, the students are tasked with advancing organics management in Stevens Point.

Additionally, senior Chelsea Huckbody, studying Soils and Waste Resources - Waste Management and Geography, received an award from the SWANA Badger chapter for her work at the Village of Weston, Wisc., where she engaged and organized community outreach and events for proper recycling. After working on a capstone project that developed a food scrap curbside collection pilot program in the city of Stevens Point, she has a newfound passion for organics diversion. Her award included a scholarship.