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RECYCLE ACROSS AMERICA AND <YOUR ORGANIZATION’S NAME>
LEAD THE CHARGE TO INTRODUCE AND OFFER
STANDARDIZED LABELS FOR RECYCLING BINS
FREE Recycling Bin Signs for
Schools, Businesses, Faith-Based Organizations, Households, etc. at:
www.RecycleAcrossAmerica.org
YOUR CITY, STATE (RELEASE DATE, 2010) – Have you ever approached a recycling bin
and had to look inside to determine what can go in it? Have you ever started a recycling
program at your workplace, school, faith-based organization, public office or had an event at
your home and wondered how to effectively mark the bins? If so, then you will likely appreciate
this story about a remarkably simple yet meaningful solution that will make a dramatic
environmental difference.
Beginning in September, Recycle Across America (www.recycleacrossamerica.org) and
industry leaders will introduce and provide standardized signs for recycling bins for everyone. It
is a major step in fixing the problem of inconsistent and often confusing labels on recycling bins;
an ongoing issue since the introduction of recycling in the U.S. twenty-plus years ago.
This national standardized label initiative was proposed by Michelle “Mitch” Hedlund, co-director
of UPonGREEN Environmental Advancement Foundation and founder of eco-profiles.com,
during her keynote presentation to the recycling industry executive committee at the 2009
RAM/SWANA Conference in Minneapolis. As a result, Recycle Across America (RAA) was
formed along with a national signage committee representing nearly every level of the recycling
spectrum, including: leading national recycling collectors, recycling associations, Fortune 100
companies, national manufacturers, national retailers, recycling consultants and agencies, solid
waste industry leaders, composting companies, public school associations, parents, students,
national leaders of faith-based organizations, government environmental authorities, e-waste
recycling companies and more. (www.recycleacrossamerica.org/about-us.html)
Just by visiting www.recycleacrossamerica.org anyone can print the signs themselves at no
cost. Or they can order long-wearing adhesive labels professionally printed on durable and
cleanable material to attach to their bins. On the website there is a library of signs that people
can choose from which work for most, if not all, collection and sorting routines in all
communities. Additionally, logos can also be added, making the labels a positive branding tool
for businesses, schools and organizations; and households can add a photo to create a more
personalized statement about their commitment toward recycling (shown below).
Branded label for a business,
school or organization:
Personalized label
for households:
“For years we’ve been witnessing how many people and organizations across the country are
challenged with trying to figure out how to effectively mark their bins,” says Hedlund, who also is
executive director of RAA. “As a result, there are literally hundreds of thousands of variations
of signs on recycling bins, which has led to frustration, valuable recyclable materials ending up
in landfills, contaminated recyclables and often – inaction.”
“Since many businesses and organizations pay taxes on the amount of waste they send to
landfills, there is also a financial incentive to use more effective labels to help divert recyclables
from entering the trash bin,” she says.
For instance in just one school district, improved consistency in recycling practices throughout
their 15 school buildings resulted in a 47 percent increase in capture rates*. The increase of
recyclables captured, create opportunities for schools and businesses to decrease the amount
of taxes they pay on materials entering the landfills. (*Pollution Control Agency – MPCA)
“As a state recycling organization, we know first-hand how frustrated people are when trying to
find labels for their bins and we recognize the many problems that result from inconsistency.
This is such a simple, yet historically progressive step in recycling in the U.S. and we’re excited
to be part of it,” said Ellen Telander, executive director of Recycling Association of Minnesota.
“It’s a big win-win for everyone and certainly for the environment.“ <AND/OR ADD A QUOTE
FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION’S SPOKESPERSON>.
Facts identifying the environmental and economic benefits of recycling in the U.S.:
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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), currently less than 10
percent of recyclable materials from businesses in the United States is recycled each
year. If that number reaches 75 percent, that will be the environmental equivalent of
removing more than 33 million cars from the roads in the U.S.
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An economic study conducted by the U.S. EPA and the National Recycling Coalition in
2002, found that the recycling and reuse industry is a significant force in the U.S.
economy. For instance even at 2002 recycling levels which were significantly less than
today’s levels, there were 56,000 recycling related establishments that directly employed
over 1.1 million people and indirectly employed an additional 1.4 million people. This
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resulted in an annual payroll of nearly $37 billion directly and another $52 billion
indirectly. At that time, the industry generated annual gross revenues over $236 billion
directly and another $173 billion indirectly.
“The response has been outstanding. We’ve received tremendous support from the state
recycling associations that we’ve spoken with thus far, which are excited to introduce this
signage resource within their states. Additionally, many school and faith-based organizations
have expressed their anticipation for the signs, and various industry associations have said that
they are ordering labels to give to their members to promote sustainability within their industry,”
said Hedlund. “Republic Services, a national leader in the recycling industry and one of the first
companies to hear about this initiative, has been very supportive of this effort and is preparing to
use the signs as well.”
“Republic Services is fully committed to leading the charge on recycling,” said Dan Jameson,
vice president of marketing and municipal services for Republic. “Our support of these simple,
yet effective recycling signs is another example of our efforts to help customers simplify their
sustainability goals.”
The Recycle Across America website has also posted a public/consumer survey. Visitors are
encouraged to share their opinions about recycling. Ongoing survey results will be posted later
this year.
Recycle Across America
Recycle Across America (RAA) is a non-profit initiative through the UPonGREEN Environmental
Advancement Foundation – a 501(c)3 dedicated to delivering solutions that make environmental action
more simple, comprehensive, efficient and prevalent in the United States. Recycle Across America is
demonstrating what can be accomplished when an industry unites to deliver simple solutions that have a
large and measurable impact on society for the greater good.
More information can be found at
www.recycleacrossamerica.org.
Recycling Association of Minnesota
The Recycling Association of Minnesota is committed to promoting resource conservation through waste
prevention, reuse, recycling, composting and purchasing practices using the most cost effective and
environmentally sound methods available in Minnesota. RAM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
www.recycleminnesota.org
Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. provides recycling and solid waste collection, transfer and disposal services in the
United States and Puerto Rico. The Company’s various operating units, including collection companies,
transfer stations, recycling centers and landfills, are focused on providing reliable environmental services
and solutions for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. For more information, visit
the Republic Services website at www.republicservices.com.
©2010 Recycle Across America™ is copyright and trademark protected by UPonGREEN Environmental Advancement
Foundation™ a 501(c)3; a non-profit organization that is committed to delivering tangible and measurable solutions for society
which expedite progress.
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