SAN FRANCISCO, CA — (Marketwire) — 11/15/12 — In celebration of America Recycles Day (ARD), residents in California can participate in and learn about their local community recycling and zero waste programs at more than 100 events throughout the state today. ARD occurs annually on November 15 and California has participated in ARD since its inception in 1997. This year, Keep California Beautiful (KCB) and its partners organized and participated in several showcase events in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Additionally, KCB and California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) launched to serve as a hub for residents statewide to find ways to participate in their communities– ARD events.
Together with CRRA, KCB is hosting a recycling education and beautification event in partnership with Fisherman–s Wharf Community Benefit District, San Francisco Port, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park with special guest Joel Greene, host of Curiosity Quest, a PBS kids– program. As a long-term community contribution, four solar-powered BigBellys will be installed in the San Francisco Port and in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. These BigBellys represent the first time a U.S. public space has provided collection for three streams of waste containment: recyclable, compostable and landfill; the units are being sponsored by KCB and Arrowhead 100% Mountain Spring Water. To provide education to local business owners, a special ARD zero waste workshop will educate event and venue managers in the area.
In Los Angeles, a showcase event hosted by AEG at L.A. LIVE will provide free e-waste recycling on-site for residents and information about its sustainability initiative, AEG 1EARTH. Pat Proano, KCB Board Vice President and Assistant Deputy Director at Environmental Programs for Los Angeles Public Works Department, announced the county is honoring ARD by collecting beverage containers at participating public works and LA county libraries. The campaign begins on November 15 and ends December 7; proceeds from beverage containers will be donated to Toys for Tots. More information can be found at .
Recycling can be easy — and fun — for everyone in the family. CalRecycle spokesdinosaur Recycle Rex is rallying California schoolchildren with the annual . KCB and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery () are collaborating on the contest, in which elementary school classes collect and recycle aluminum and plastic California Redemption Value (CRV) beverage containers.
The contest begins on November 15 and runs through March 30, 2013. Winners will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2013. With Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and at work on ARD, there–s no better time for the family to get involved and become better environmental stewards.
Since 1997, cities and counties throughout California have organized a wide variety of events, from recycling collections and cleanups to art contests and recycled product fairs. Millions of California residents have taken part in these events, and thousands of people have pledged to increase their efforts to reduce, reuse, recycle and buy recycled products. ARD is hosted by Keep America Beautiful nationally and by KCB and California Resource Recovery Association in California (CRRA). For more information, visit .
Keep California Beautiful, Inc., is an environmental education non-profit 501c (3), whose mission is to work together to ignite individuals, state and local governments, communities, and corporate responsibility through strategic initiatives and volunteer action to preserve and protect California–s beautiful natural resources for generations to come. As the State Affiliate of Keep America Beautiful (KAB), KCB coordinates with the KAB Local Affiliate programs throughout the state and leverages regional community based programs. KCB forms public/private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. For additional information, visit