Celebrate What's Right
Plastic Bag Recycling Project
The Partners:
Kilgore Economic Development Corporation
The mission of Kilgore Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) is to enhance a business climate
that is conducive to job creation and retention, improving the standard of living for Kilgore residents.
KEDC works to strengthen and diversify the economy, encouraging local investment and promoting
Kilgore as a prime business location.
Why is KEDC participating in this partnership?
KEDC's participation is part of a retention/expansion project that supports the green marketing efforts
of one of Kilgore's existing businesses, Pak-Sher, and involves another local business, Cypress
Interactive, the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce and KISD in a plastic bag recycling effort that will
benefit a local employer, KISD Intermediate students and our community.
“The Board of Directors of KEDC supports not only our existing businesses but also the efforts of our
Chamber and KISD to enable students to learn the value of recycling. The year-long project is a
practical learning experience that will show students how recycled bags can be collected and then remanufactured into a useful product.” - Bobby Beane, President of KEDC
KEDC
Bobby Beane, President
903.984.5000
Amanda Nobles, Executive Director
903.983.3522
anobles@kilgore-edc.com
Kilgore Chamber of Commerce
The purpose of the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce is to help our member businesses prosper and grow.
Why is the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce participating in this partnership?
The Kilgore Chamber can support our business community and our school district through this
partnership. The recycling project will further enhance the Chamber's shop local campaign, Keep It in
Kilgore. We know that by doing so it helps educate our buying public and enhances our community as
we “celebrate what's right.”
“We are excited that we are able to team up with KEDC, KISD, Cypress Interactive and our Chamber
member, Pak-Sher, in providing the opportunity for kids to learn how to support our local businesses by
recycling to keep Kilgore green and by shopping locally.” - Mike Coston, President
Kilgore Chamber of Commerce
Mike Coston, President
903.984.5022
mcoston@kilgorechamber.com
Pak-Sher
Pak-Sher is a Kilgore, Texas, based manufacturer of plastic carryout, storage bags, and food handling
products for restaurants, delis, groceries, convenience stores and other food service establishments.
Pak-Sher is leading the industry in their development of sustainable packaging alternatives. Chick-FilA, Chilis, On-the-Border, Texas Roadhouse and KFC are just a few of the many national chains
supplied by Pak-Sher.
Why is Pak-Sher participating in this partnership?
Recent investments in new technology have provided Pak-Sher with significantly improved capabilities
for incorporating recycled material into its manufacturing process. The Kilgore Bag Recycling Project
is providing Pak-Sher with an opportunity to take what it does best and help the community increase
recycling efforts and awareness. Pak-Sher has the unique capability to collect the bags, grind them
down and make new bags that will be distributed back into the community.
“Pak-Sher's customer base is nationwide, but its employees call Kilgore and its surrounding
communities home. It is important for us as a company to remember this. This opportunity gives us a
chance to produce something that stays local while working with the kids in Kilgore ISD, KEDC and
the Chamber to raise everyone's awareness of the benefits of recycling.” - David Motley, CFO
Pak-Sher
David Motley, CFO
903.984.8596
dmotley@paksher.com
Cypress Interactive
Cypress Interactive is a creative technology firm, specializing in high-end web design, print design,
web development, mobile applications and other interactive solutions for businesses and non-profit
organizations.
Why is Cypress Interactive participating in this partnership?
Cypress Interactive genuinely appreciates and admires the initiative set forth by the Kilgore Economic
Development Corporation and the participating partners and their efforts to make a real, tangible
difference within our community.
“Cypress Interactive is excited to offer its talents and resources to the project and overjoyed to observe
the profound effect “Celebrate What's Right” will have on our children and the generations to come.”
- Coy Lothrop, Creative Director
Cypress Interactive
Coy A. Lothrop, Creative Director
903.984.9027
coy@cypressinteractive.com
Kilgore Intermediate School, Kilgore Independent School District
Kilgore Intermediate is a 4th and 5th grade campus committed to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES in
helping all students reach a high level of academic achievement as determined by state and national
standards with the ability to creatively think, lead, collaborate, communicate and thrive in our local and
a global society.
Why is Kilgore Intermediate School participating in this partnership?
Kilgore Intermediate is excited about giving an opportunity to students to participate in the full process
of recycling. They will be able to see the product their plastic bags create. We hope that by providing
students an outlet for recycling at an early age, it will foster a lifestyle of this earth-friendly behavior.
“It's great!! It's going to help clean up the Earth.” - Kolby McCown, 4th grader
“I finally can get rid of all my plastic bags.” - Dana Wilson, teacher
Kilgore Intermediate School
Andy Adams, Principal
903.988.3903
aadams@kisd.org