Newcastle Earns Team Builder Award for Environmental Leadership

The City of Newcastle recently earned the Team Builders: City Award at the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful 34th Annual Environmental Excellence Celebration. This recognition highlights the success of Newcastle's "Too Toxic to Trash" event on June 1, 2024, which helped residents safely dispose of 7,265 pounds of hazardous household waste, including 42 pounds of prescription medications, 182 tires, and five barrels of used oil.

The event was made possible through a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and collaboration with the Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, RTR Environmental, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, along with many dedicated volunteers. Together, these efforts prevented hazardous materials from entering the environment and raised awareness of sustainable disposal practices.

"This award shows the power of partnerships and community commitment," said Assistant City Manager Jeannette McNally, who led the initiative. "We had a great turnout for our second annual event and look forward to making it better each year."

The City of Newcastle was also a finalist for the Environmental Excellence Project of the Year. Although the top award went to another initiative, Newcastle’s recognition highlights the City’s growing role in environmental leadership.

As Newcastle looks to the future, programs like "Too Toxic to Trash" are an important part of our mission. By working together, Newcastle’s natural beauty will be preserved and protected.