Freecycle Founder Gets EPA Award

Wendy Angel

Tucson, Ariz. – Deron Beal, founder of the Tucson-based re-use organization Freecycle, was one of 37 environmental heroes honored by the Washington-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week. Freecycle diverts about 50 tons daily from landfills and has 1.2 million members worldwide.

"The EPA applauds the outstanding achievements of these environmental heroes," EPA regional administrator Wayne Nastri said in a news release.

The awards, handed out on Earth Day in San Francisco, are given yearly to individuals and organizations whose try to protect the environment.