State officials have recognized Mecklenburg County Solid Waste for its environmental performance. Andy Miller, Deputy Secretary for Infrastructure and Environmental Assistance at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), presented a plaque to county officials, designating the program as an Environmental Steward. This designation is held by only 30 facilities in North Carolina.
“Mecklenburg County Solid Waste has demonstrated that environmental leadership is not only about compliance but about setting a higher standard for sustainability and community engagement,” said Reid Wilson, DEQ Secretary. “Its continued commitment to innovation, outreach, and mentorship sets an example for public agencies across North Carolina.”
To receive the Environmental Steward recognition from DEQ, organizations must show leadership in environmental practices that go beyond regulatory requirements. The Steward level is the highest tier within the state’s Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI).
Mecklenburg County Solid Waste (MCSW) operates under the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency and serves almost 1.2 million residents as of 2024. The division manages solid waste processing, runs drop-off centers, and leads outreach efforts aimed at sustainability and waste reduction in homes, businesses, and schools. MCSW joined ESI as a Partner in 2009, advanced to Rising Steward in 2017, and reached Steward status in December 2024. Although its ISO 14001 certification ended in 2017, ESI staff determined MCSW maintained equivalent standards.
“Mecklenburg County’s Solid Waste Management Program is honored to be recognized as an Environmental Steward by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality,” said Jeff Smithberger, Solid Waste Director for the County. “This achievement is the result of many dedicated staff working to care for our local environment. We also appreciate the strong leadership support from County management and our elected officials, who understand the importance of managing waste properly.”
The ESI program was created by DEQ in 2002 as a voluntary effort to encourage pollution prevention and innovative approaches among organizations across North Carolina. The initiative offers technical assistance at no cost to members—including strategies for reducing waste, water use, and energy consumption—and requires annual reporting on self-set goals. Over more than two decades, participating organizations have reduced their environmental impacts significantly.
More information can be found on the Environmental Stewardship Initiative’s website or by contacting Kate Macleod at esi@nc.deq.gov or 919-707-8146.
