Joseph Silvi, Refill Madness honored for green practices

To mark the recent Earth Day celebration, a Valley resident and business were celebrated for their environmental efforts. Rep. Mike Thompson honored Sonoma native Joseph Silvi with the county’s 2022 Climate Crisis Champion for his efforts to promote biodiesel. The Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized Refill Madness with its business sustainability award.

The honors were presented on Earth Day weekend, in the wake of a climate report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that included a global assessment of climate change mitigation tactics and increasing levels of human-produced greenhouse gases.

Sonoma County’s 2022 Climate Crisis Champion

The annual Climate Crisis Champion award goes to members of the community who have shown inspiring leadership in combating the climate crisis, who push for local, substantive climate action.

“The climate crisis is the most significant challenge that our world faces today, and the efforts of people like Joseph are vital to combat climate change,” Thompson said in a press release. “It’s because of people like Joseph that I am optimistic about our future, and I am proud to recognize his work on behalf of our community.”

Thompson recognized Silvi’s his personal efforts to use biodiesel on his own car and his extracurricular work addressing climate change at Sonoma Valley High School as the founder and president of the Campus Beautification Club. Thompson also noted Silvi’s shepherding of sustainability program at Crescent Montessori School in Sonoma.

The U.S. representative added that Silvi is “continuing his incredible work by joining the UC Berkeley Biofuels Technology Club and leading efforts to produce biodiesel fuel from local restaurant’s cooking oil with the ultimate goal of fueling campus and student vehicles with renewable fuel.”

Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce sustainability award

Refill Madness was highlighted by the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce as its Earth Day Sustainable Business honoree.

The “zero-waste” shop located at 500 W. Napa St. offers customers the ability to refill any bottle or container with soap and other bathing and cleaning products.

Together, Sonoma Mayor Jack Ding and Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Bodenhamer presented owner Jana Wang a certificate of recognition for its unique sustainable practices to reduce waste.

Contact Chase Hunter at chase.hunter@sonomanews.com and follow @Chase_HunterB on Twitter.