When Eaton Township officials hosted its annual “Dumpster Days” event earlier this month, it marked the 34th time that the Ross Group of companies (Ross Environmental Services, Inc., Ross Incineration Services, Inc., Ross Transportation Services, Inc.) teamed with the township to collect household hazardous waste from residents.

Once again, community members  freely discarded trash, debris and unwanted furniture. Ross associates on site carefully accepted environmentally harmful substances like paint, pool chemicals, motor oil and pesticides.

Materials were immediately slated for treatment at the Ross plant on Giles Road, roughly a half-mile from the drop-off point.

Ross personnel collected more than 2,500 gallons of household hazardous waste in 2023, proving that the need was greater than ever. Since 1993, Ross  has collected more than 142,810 gallons of household hazardous waste from “Dumpster Days” drives.

Pat Lawson, Vice President of Corporate Compliance and Risk Management at Ross Environmental Services, said the event gives our community a better understanding of the types of materials that are managed by Ross.

“A lot of the materials Ross receives from industries are similar, or the same, as the materials used every day in our homes,” Lawson added. “Our collection drive at Dumpster Days provides a necessary environmental service to local residents.”

Ross associates accepted waste from around 80 households this year.

Nick Pakosz, a 40-year employee of Ross Incineration Services, Inc. (RIS), has been named the recipient of the Philip T. Schaefer Vision Award by the Ross Group of companies. The Ross Group includes Ross Environmental Services, Inc., Ross Incineration Services, Inc. and Ross Transportation Services, Inc.

Pakosz accepted the award at the Ross companies’ Annual Service Awards banquet held earlier in the year. He began working for RIS in September 1982 as an Incineration Operator. Over the years, he’s contributed to departments that include Operation Support and Receiving. Since 2022, he’s served in a leadership role as a Project Safety Management Coordinator on the Environmental, Health and Safety team.

“Nick’s loyalty is humbling,” said Bill Cromling III, president of Ross Transportation Services and one of the owners of the Ross Group of companies. “We’re thrilled that he’s chosen to be a member of the Ross family for four decades, and his commitment to safe work practices is equally special. He personifies our commitment to safety.”

The Vision Award is presented annually to an associate of the Ross companies who exemplifies a commitment to the companies, the community and the environment.

In addition to his 40-year commitment to the companies, Pakosz is known for a leadership style that has molded countless associates over the years. He embodies the Ross Group values through activism with organizations like the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Lorain County and charity events that benefit cancer research. He volunteers with his church and assists his daughter who trains seeing-eye dogs for the blind.

The Vision Award was created by the Ross companies to honor the memory of Philip T. Schaefer, who was the Vice President of Operations for Ross Incineration Services, Inc.

Phil was active in several community organizations and was a true ambassador of the Ross companies’ values. Phil was a tireless volunteer, athlete, environmentalist and sportsman. He demonstrated a daily commitment to his coworkers, health and wellness, the community and the environment. Phil passed away in 2011 after a fearless battle with a rare form of cancer.

Nick Pakosz accepts the Phillip T. Schaefer Vision Award from owners Bill Cromling III and Jon Cromling

Left to right: Scott Wesp, Darrell Zielinski, Neil Gorman, Pat Lawson, Nick Pakosz, Steve Goldman, Bob Ward, James Kovelan and Jim Larson.

Ross Environmental Services recently spoke to Fox 8 about the important “Stop the Bleed” campaign that put first aid kits in every classroom districtwide at Midview Local Schools.

RES donated about $18,000 to the Eaton Township Fire Department, which purchased the kits and buckets to store them in. Fire officials trained teachers and district staff members on how to properly use the materials should the unthinkable happen.

Watch the full piece to hear from district officials, firefighters and Ross personnel. 

Associates at the Ross Group of companies rolled up their sleeves and planted more than a dozen evergreen trees for Arbor Day.

Many associates chose to dedicate trees in memory of loved ones. Thirteen memorial trees in total were planted. Seven additional evergreen saplings will grow roughly 40 feet high. Associates arranged the trees in rows and planted them in space west of the main associate lot at RIS in Grafton, OH.

Trees were ordered through the Arbor Day Foundation, which has a goal of planting 500 million trees by 2027. Research shows that trees slow climate change and support biodiversity.

The Arbor Day Foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022.

This week the Western Reserve Land Conservancy dedicated the first installment of a new boardwalk at the Oberlin Preserve.

The Ross Foundation awarded a grant for completion of the project. A bench overlooking a pond is in memory of late owner Maureen Cromling.

Work will continue at the Oberlin Preserve. In 2015, the Western Reserve Land Conservancy acquired 63 acres of land on the southern edge of the Oberlin in Lorain County. The site, located at 425 W. Hamilton Street in Oberlin, is considered part of the Oberlin Great South Woods.

Click here for more information on the Oberlin Preserve.

Associates mingled with community members at the Ross companies’ Holiday Open House in early December. Kids of all ages snacked on cookies, sipped drinks at the cocoa bar and wrote letters to Santa. Mr. and Mrs. Claus even attended the party, so children could personally deliver their letters to them.

Add in a balloon artist, face painting and magicians … and it was a special evening.

Can’t wait until next year!