State and Local Agencies Observe America Recycles Day Nov. 15

NASHVILLE – America Recycles Day is Monday, Nov. 15, and Tennessee’s departments of Environment and Conservation and Transportation are joining local county and city agencies across the state, providing several opportunities for citizens to reduce waste and make a difference.

  

“I Recycle is the 2010 theme of America Recycles Day and millions of Americans have pledged to increase their recycling habits at home and at work over the 13-year history of ARD,” said Environment and Conservation Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan. “There are more than 100 events registered across the state, and we should be proud of these efforts and I encourage all Tennesseans to join us in our commitment to better protect and preserve our natural resources by reducing our waste stream.”  

 

Here’s just a snapshot of statewide activities, ranging from charitable shoe drives to state employee recycling opportunities: 

 

 

Partnering with TDOT and TDEC, Keep Tennessee Beautiful and the Tennessee Recycling Coalition are the co-sponsors for the 2010 America Recycles Day in Tennessee for the second year in a row.  Projects throughout Tennessee are designed to encourage the residents of the Volunteer State to both reduce individual waste production and to recycle as much waste as possible.  Visit www.americarecyclesday.org to find a listing of events in your area or contact Keep Tennessee Beautiful toll free at 1-888-862-5326 to find out how you can get more involved in this and other projects.

 

The Department of Environment and Conservation’s Columbia, Cookeville and Nashville Environmental Field Offices will host a coat, clothes or shoe drive during the first half of the month to benefit various local charities – an opportunity to recycle gently worn items, while helping both the environment and a person in need. 

 

Community members are invited to participate, including local, state and federal government offices, along with local businesses, companies and non-profits. The charity drives will be held through Nov. 19. Drop off times for all three events will be held during regular office hours – Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional details are as follows: 

 

The State Employee Recycling Program, coordinated by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, continues to expand its waste prevention and recycling efforts. With more than 22,000 state employees participating, over 600 tons of mixed office paper was recycled in 2009, generating revenue, which is deposited in the Solid Waste Management Fund used to help assist local communities in their solid waste reduction efforts.

 

There will be recycling informational booths planned for the week of November 15 at several state buildings in Nashville and at the McCallie Building in Chattanooga, designed to education state employees on the importance of recycling. The program targets mixed office paper, plastic and aluminum recycling, as well as non-traditional items,such as clothing, coat hangers, eyeglasses and greeting cards, for reuse, donation and recycling. For more information about Tennessee’s State Employee Recycling Program, visit the Web site at www.tn.gov/environment/ea/serp. 

 

Since 1997, communities across the country have come together on November 15 to celebrate America Recycles Day. More than a celebration, America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling programs in the United States.

 

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