MEDORA – Family-owned and operated Rumpke Waste & Recycling welcomed more than 150 neighbors and community partners to the Medora Landfill on Wednesday, Sept. 16, for the company’s 30th annual community picnic.
“The picnic started in 1996 by Rumpke leadership and former Medora Landfill owner Tom Willcutt,” said Brad Marlow, Medora Landfill manager for Rumpke. “For the past three decades, we’ve had the privilege of gathering with neighbors, friends, community members and Rumpke employees in what has become a long-standing tradition that feels like a family reunion more than anything else. It’s an honor to have celebrated 30 years in the best way we know how – with great food, conversation, music, and fellowship.”
Rumpke’s community picnic featured a fried fish dinner prepared by members of the Carr Township Conservation Club, sides from Pewter Hall, ice cream from Kovener’s Korner, and dishes and desserts contributed by guests. The event also featured live music from local musicians Jerry and Amber Henson, lawn games, door prizes, and landfill tours, where guests learned about the site’s history, daily operations, and future plans.
“This is a special tradition for our team and an opportunity to connect with and give back to our neighbors and the community we’re proud to call home,” Marlow said. “We look forward to opening our doors each year, sharing a meal and spending time together while giving our neighbors a closer look at the work we do at the Medora Landfill.”
The evening concluded with an awards presentation for the best homemade side dish and dessert. Betty Clampitt took home the Sylvia England Golden Fork Award for best side dish with her macaroni and cheese, while Sherry Gabbard earned the Peggy Thompson Golden Spoon Award for her zucchini bread.
The Medora Landfill opened in 1971 and was purchased by Rumpke in 1983. Today, the site provides environmentally sound disposal for the southern Indiana and Kentuckiana area. The landfill is permitted to accept up to 3,000 tons of waste daily.
Rumpke’s Medora Recycling Center, located near the landfill, processes about 800 tons of material each month. Recyclable material is collected from residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Some recyclables are transported directly to in-state manufacturers to create new products, while the remaining items are transported to Rumpke’s regional recycling facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, for processing.
For more information about Rumpke or to schedule a landfill tour, call 1-800-828-8171 or visit www.rumpke.com.
