Get Involved in America Recycles Day, November 15th, 2001

Washington, DC - The average American generates nearly 1,500 pounds of trash each year, creating more than 200 million tons of waste annually in the United States.

While these figures can be daunting, there is some good news. Because more Americans than ever are recycling, the nation's recycling rate is now more than 28 percent. This means the steel and aluminum cans, glass jars, paper, plastic, and even rechargeable batteries we place at the curb or at drop-off facilities are making a real difference in reducing our nation's waste.

November 15 is America Recycles Day. Millions of Americans across the nation are going to celebrate recycling's success and commit to keep recycling working and ensuring that the nation receives its benefits. Communities across the country are planning events to encourage residents to recycle more and more often, and communicate that there's one more step we need to take to keep recycling working - buying recycled.

The 2001 America Recycles Day theme, "America Recycles Day - A Great Time to Renew Our Commitment in Recycling" is designed to take recycling to the next step in this country. By participating in our local recycling programs and by purchasing recycled-content products, we are creating a sustainable quality of life that generates economic growth, resource conservation and environmental protection.

And it's easy to do. Ninety percent of all Americans now have access to local recycling programs. Whether at the grocery store or at the office, recycled products are everywhere. There are thousands of recycled-content products available, everything from bicycles and appliances to laundry detergent bottles and carpeting.

Get Involved In America Recycles Day

On November 15, join your neighbors in America Recycles Day events and help our nation continue to realize recycling's environmental and economic benefits. Many states and localities will have activities and events to celebrate America Recycles Day. To find out what is going on in your area or state, visit www.americanrecyclesday.org and click on State Info. If you do not have internet access, call the American Recycler newspaper toll-free at 877-777-0737 and we can access the information for you. Also there is information on planning events on the America Recycles webpage.

Enter Contest for Prizes

Online and through local events, a contest for three regional prizes is being held. To enter the contest visit www.americarecyclesday.org and click on Enter Contest. An online entry form is available and it is a pledge to recycle. The regions have been divided equally based on population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census.

The regions are Western: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, new Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Central: Alabama, Arkanas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Eastern: Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, DC and West Virginia.

The prize packages include: a bag of assorted Aveda products in recycled content packaging from Aveda; recycled content rubber mat from Environmental Tire Company; Little Earth recycled content products from Future Solutions, Inc; case of recycled content papers from Great White Office Papers; case of floppy diskettes and a package of CD-RWs from Green Disk; recycled content worm composting bin from Greenline Products; recycled content bench, inscribed with the winner's name and a child's adirondack chair from The Plastic Lumber Company; household recycling card from RealGoods.com; one year supply of recycled content Preserve Toothbrushes from Recycline; recycled content compost bin, rain saver and auger from Scepter Corporation/Signature Marketing; reusable cloth bag filled with environmentally-friendly cleaning products from Sevent Generation; recycled content playground equipment from Snider and Associates and Keg-a-Que barbecue grill from Steel Recycling Institute.

Entries will be accepted through November 20, 2001

Sponsors Sponsors of America Recycles Day include Ford Motor Company, The Home Depot, Waste Management, 100% Recycled Paperboard, United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Softdrink Association, and Staples.

America Recycles Day 2000 at a glance

Last year's America Recycles Day grew. Here are some of the statistics.

• 3.3 million Americans participated nationwide.
• 20 million media reports were made. Over 2.5 million website hits.
• 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands participated in America Recycles Day.
• Nearly 10,500 radio and television public service announcements.
• Nearly 16,000 online pledges.
• 
  4.2 million ARD grocery bags distributed.