In April of 2004, the Amador County Regional Agency sponsored a drawing contest for K-12 graders to create a recycling mascot for Amador County. Out of over 200 entries received the Regional Agency selected nine nominees; three at each of the following levels: Elemen­tary, Junior High, and High School.

In July 2004, the top ten entries were displayed at the Amador County Fair for the public to vote on their favorite mascot to represent the face of recycling in Amador County. On November 4, 2004, the Regional Agency held a special ceremony to award the winners for their drawings. Gina Salvador, a senior student of Amador High School was awarded overall winner of the contest. Her drawing of “Recycler Ricky” is now Amador County’s Recycling Mascot!

Below George Coleman, long-time county General Service Department employee and the first recipient of the Amador County Recycler Ricky Award, came dressed as Recycler Ricky to receive his award.