The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) recognized four outstanding individuals for environmental stewardship and commitment to waste reduction at their annual awards banquet Tuesday, Dec. 9.
To accomplish its goal of a 40 percent reduction in waste going to landfills, ORSWMD offers community grants, reuse, and recycling programs. ORSWMD is governed by an executive board, made up of local elected officials and their appointees, and receive input from an advisory committee of local citizens and industry representatives.
Environmental Education: Emily Young
Emily Young, Advocacy Outreach Coordinator for Stream Teams United, received recognition for engaging in community education on the dangers of plastics. Originally form Pennsylvania, where she worked closely with local, state, and federal partners and stakeholders to implement water quality action plans for the Chesapeake Bay, she moved to Missouri in 2024. In Missouri, she joined Stream Teams United to lead a plastic pollution reduction campaign promoting positive change in watershed conservation. Her work has successfully provided environmental education and community engagement.
"If you would have told me five years ago that one, I would be working in solid waste, and two, doing that work in Missouri, and three, getting an award for it, I probably would have said you had the wrong person," Young said with a laugh. "But life is funny that way."
Young was nominated by Roger Pankey, representing the city of Rolla.
Young and her small but dedicated four-person team are working on a “Show-Me Less Plastic” project. They host community advocacy workshops and regional roundtables for decision-makers throughout the state. As a Waynesville resident, she expressed particular interest in bringing these programs to the region in 2026.
Business and Industry: Ryan Davis of Argyle Catering
Ryan Davis, owner and executive chef of Argyle Catering, was honored in the business and industry category for his commitment to food waste reduction through innovative donation programs.
A graduate of the California School of Culinary Arts Le Cordon Bleu program, Davis has built Argyle Catering into a premier service provider for weddings, parties, and corporate gatherings throughout the region. What sets Argyle apart is Davis's dedication to ensuring leftover food from large events doesn't go to waste. Through partnerships with local shelters and food banks, excess catering finds beneficial uses rather than ending up in landfills.
Davis was nominated by Steve Vogt, representing the city of Belle.
"We don't deserve all the gratification," Davis said humbly. "It's the people that hire us that allow us to donate the food because they don't have an outlet for it. They're the ones that really paid me to cook it, and then I just get it to the right places."
Davis explained his process: leftover food is properly cooled at the kitchen, repackaged, labeled, and delivered to organizations like the Mission in Rolla and facilities in Jefferson City, where it can be frozen or reheated as needed.
Sustainable Material Management: Matt Williams
Artist Matt Williams was recognized for his creative approach to recycling wine and liquor bottles into functional art pieces. Operating as The Broken Bottle Company, Williams has created hundreds of glass items from discarded bottles, including tall drinking glasses, self-watering planters, wind chimes, and tiki torches. His journey began about a year ago after purchasing a small glass cutter and spending countless hours watching video tutorials and experimenting with techniques.
"We were sitting in the garage, and I was like, 'Man, I sure do break a lot of bottles,'" Williams explained about how his business got its name.
Williams noted that his commitment to sustainability extends beyond the bottles themselves. "All my packing supplies, all my cardboard boxes, everything is pretty much secondhand that I get, all my bubble wraps and things like that too," he said.
Troy Porter, representing the city of Dixon, nominated Williams for the award.
Volunteer Involvement: Janice Morgan
Vienna resident Janice Morgan received recognition in the volunteer involvement category for her community engagement, from volunteering at the local food bank to being an ORSWMD ambassador and promoting the district’s programs. She has engaged in Ozark Rivers meetings and activities since being appointed as an executive board alternate. Morgan attended an illegal dump clean-up and promotes the district’s special collection events in Maries County. She is always eager to volunteer for various programs as needs arise.
"I don't have much to say, except I do my best to volunteer where I see a need since I retired," Morgan said. "Just trying to find my niche in Missouri, especially Maries County."
Vic Stratman, Maries County Presiding Commissioner, nominated Morgan for the award.
Each award recipient received a unique gift made from recycled materials, including wind chimes crafted from recycled glass bottles by Williams or wireless chargers and cell phone speakers made from recycled milk cartons.
