Don't Waste Food SC Ambassadors

DHEC Director Rick Toomey and Myra Reece, director of Environmental Affairs, were recognized as Ambassadors of the Don't Waste Food SC (DWFSC) campaign at February's board meeting.

Pictured from L to R: Adah Gorton (Don't Waste Food SC Co-Manager), Amanda Edwards (Don't Waste Food SC Co-Manager), Myra Reece (Director, Environmental Affairs), Rick Toomey (DHEC Agency Director), Juli Blalock (BLWM Mining & Solid Waste Management Division Director), Richard Chesley (BLWM Office of Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling Manager), and Henry Porter (BLWM Bureau Chief). 

The DWFSC Ambassadors program acknowledges individuals, restaurants, schools, non-profits, farms, organizations and others that participate in food waste reduction and promote the campaign. 

Food is the No.1 item Americans throw away. Each year an estimated 40 percent of the food produced nationwide is not consumed - an annual loss of about $218 billion. Wasted food also wastes the natural resources used to  produce it and the opportunity to feed those in need (including 1 in 7  South Carolinians). 

The campaign, one of the first statewide campaigns nationwide, centers on prevention, donation and composting and provides outreach and technical assistance to multiple audiences.

Virtual Public Meetings/Hearings

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Environmental Affairs has begun holding public hearings and meetings virtually in order to address members of the public on certain permitting projects. The Bureau of Land & Waste Management recently held a virtual public hearing to accept comments on the proposed expansion of the Horry County Solid Waste Authority's solid waste management facility. Sheila Watts (Solid Waste Permitting & Monitoring Section) presented the project's technical information, Donna Moye (BLWM's Public Participation Coordinator) served as the public hearing officer, and Lawra Boyce (EA Community Engagement Coordinator) served as the virtual meeting Tech Host. Justin Koon (Manager of the Solid Waste Permitting & Monitoring Section) and Juli Blalock (Director of the Mining and Solid Waste Division) answered questions after the hearing.  

*Team Planning Meeting

Other Environmental staff who were part of the hearing and involved in the project include: Larry Leblang (Solid Waste Permitting & Monitoring Section) and several staff members for the BEHS Pee Dee Regional Office: Katherine Mann, Jay Cox, Shawn Williams, and Area Director Matt Maxwell.
EA Admin staff Sean Briggs, Kristy Ellenberg, and Katherine Yon rounded out "Team DHEC" as part of the tech team for the hearing.

50 people including DHEC staff, Horry County staff, and members of the public were in attendance. Sheila gave the hearing's technical presentation and then the official comment period was held. Members of the public were asked to unmute their phones or computers to indicate that they wanted to make a comment. They were then called on by Donna, Lawra or a member of the tech team. One member of the public took the opportunity to praise DHEC for their professionalism "thank you for your incredibly professional and well-executed version of this public meeting."​

*Meeting Presentation/Participants