4 local couples named environmental heroes

Recycle Hi-Line celebrated its sixth anniversary by honoring people who have supported the group in its effort to clean up the environment.

At Monday night’s Havre City Council meeting, Candi Zion, a founder and the chair of Recycle Hi-Line, handed out awards to people who have fought the fight with her groups.

The winners are:

Wayne Koepke and Renelle Braaten

“We all wondered why Wayne Koepke was bringing pickup loads of plastic wrap used in shipping to the recycle drives,” Zion said. “What on earth did an accountant use all that plastic for.”

Actually, she explained, the plastic comes from Enell Inc., the manufacturer of sports bras for well-endowed women, which is owned by Koepke’s wife, Renelle Braaten.

Every month, they bring shredded paper and cardboard from their business. They recycle and reuse, Zion said. They give cardboard boxes from Bob’s Greenhouse a second life as shipping containers.

Christina and Kevin Tweeten of Circle Inn Motel

Christina is dedicated to recycling, Zion said.

“Never, ever throw something that is recyclable into the trash when she is watching,” Zion warned.

They diligently recycle everything, and as a result, they throw away little trash, she said.

“They not only collect the recyclables, but they teach their customers how to recycle,” Zion said.

Ken and Faye Brubaker and Hi Line Lanes

Every month, the Brubakers arrive at the recycling drive with truckloads of flattened cardboard.

Recycle Hi-Line volunteers have been so impressed, she said, they nominated them for the Heroes Award.

“Thank you, Ken and Faye for your determination in helping to recycle cardboard,” she said. “We look forward to unloading your pickup.”

Roger and Wanda Meredith of R Glass

The Merediths “have taken recycling to a whole new level,” Zion said.

Glass has been collected at recycle drives for a long time, she said, but the volunteers have had a hard time figuring out just what to do with the glass.

The Merediths bought a glass pulverizer to pulverise the glass into “a beautiful product that serves many uses including landscaping material, subgravel and sparkey concrete aggregate,” Zion said.

They plan on selling the product through Bob and Kathy Doney of Bob’s Greenhouse.

The Doneys were Environmental Heroes last year.