Litter Lady retires: New leadership at Marion County Recycling & Litter Prevention

The Marion County Recycling & Litter Prevention director is retiring at the end of the month, and a new program manager has been named.

Angela Carbetta, who has been with the department since 2001 and the director since 2006, will leave the office duties to Michele Noskowiak.

“Michelle has shown extraordinary leadership skills and a genuine commitment to the cause,” Carbetta said.

Noskowiak organized the county’s recent solar eclipse glasses recycling project, worked with artists on the Women’s Business Council ATHENA Banquet last spring, helped organize the Community Earth Day Festival at ECO Center, redesigned the recycling office website and assisted with recycling at the Marion County Fair.

“She hit the ground running,” Carbetta added. “I know Michelle will shine in this position. She is already building partnerships and making great plans. That makes my heart so happy.”

With a background in elementary education, Noskowiak comes to Marion ready to tackle environmental challenges and advance sustainability goals with the community.

"I’ve already had some fantastic experiences with the county’s residents and stakeholders,” she said. "I understand that I have big shoes to fill, as Angie didn’t earn the title ‘Litter Lady’ of Marion County by chance. Working alongside her has only heightened my enthusiasm for being part of the Marion community.”

Litter prevention program began over 40 years ago

The Marion County Litter Control Office came into being through a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) in 1983 with the late Don Zeisler managing the program. The name of the office was later changed to Marion County Recycling & Litter Prevention.

MCRLP receives operational and special project funding from the DKMM Solid Waste District, along with supplemental grants from Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Zeisler hired Carbetta in 2001 as MCRLP program assistant and education specialist. She was appointed program manager in 2006 when Zeisler retired.

Marion County became an official affiliate of Keep America Beautiful in 2014. Notable projects include venue recycling at the Marion County Fair, Popcorn Festival and the Palace Theatre beginning in 2006; Marion’s “Glass Act” 2010 bar glass recycling pilot project; the America Recycles Day Eco-Art Show (2010-2019); DKMM’s county-wide recycling drop-off program; and the annual ECO Center Community Earth Day Festival partnership that started in 2015.

Other partnerships include Drug Take Back Day with MARMET Drug Task Force, OhioHealth, Aqua Ohio, MARCA Industries Recycling and ADAMH; Keep Ohio Beautiful’s License Plate Campaign; countless school, Scout and 4-H programs, special collections and community clean-up events.

“We can’t begin to express enough gratitude for our partners, sponsors, mentors and volunteers,” Carbetta said. “Special thanks to the DKMM, Marion County commissioners office, City of Marion, Ohio EPA, Sims Brothers, Keep Ohio Beautiful and Ohio Association of Litter Prevention & Recycling Professionals, as well as the many local townships, villages, businesses, law enforcement agencies, courts, park departments, past assistants, dedicated volunteers, community organizations, dear friends and my own family who did so much over the years.

"There are too many to name here, but be assured that your time, resources, and commitment to sustainability truly made a difference. I know you will all be there for Michelle as she continues this important mission," she said.

The Marion County Recycling & Litter Prevention Office is located at the Marion County Building, 222 W. Center St. For more information about recycling, special events or volunteer opportunities, visit Facebook , wastenotmarion.com or DKMM.org or call 740-223-4120.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Litter Lady retires: New leadership at Marion County Recycling & Litter Prevention