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EPA Gives Sacramento Organization $25,000 to Promote Recycling in Rural California

Release Date: 11/15/2002
Contact Information: Leo Kay, 415/947-4306

Funding Helps Promote America Recycles Day

       SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today gave a $25,000 grant to the Sacramento-based California Resource Recovery Association to jumpstart projects aimed at helping small rural communities develop and implement zero waste plans.

     Today's announcement coincides with America Recycles Day, a day in which millions of people will learn about recycling and will commit to increasing recycling activities and  purchasing more products made from recycled  materials.   More than 800 America Recycles Day events are expected to take place across the nation.      

     CRRA, the largest state recycling organization in the country, will conduct several workshops in rural areas of California to help develop and apply zero waste plans.  CRRA plans to draft a rural version of the "Zero Waste Workbook," designed to provide hands-on practical information to small communities, both within California and in other areas.

    "The California Resource Recovery Association is providing practical tools on the local level to make it possible for small rural communities to move beyond the 50 percent reduction mandates," said Jeff Scott, EPA's Waste Management division director for the Pacific Southwest office.  "This is a great way we can support and call attention to America Recycles Day   by funding on-the- ground projects with proven track records of success."

    CRRA has been advocating and advancing zero waste concepts and solutions since 1997 and has a current membership of more than 500 recycling and solid waste professionals.  For more information on the draft zero waste workbook, visit: http://home.inreach.com/icitrino/zero.html

               Background on America Recycles Day

     To find out about America Recycles Day events in your community, to pledge online, or for more information about the campaign, please visit the Web site at www.americarecyclesday.org

     America Recycles Day, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which sponsors this annual campaign.  America Recycles Day, Inc. is sponsored by Alcan Aluminum Corporation, 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance, Environmental Defense, Ford Motor Company, The Home Depot, National Recycling Coalition, National Soft Drink Association, Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, Recycling Alliance of Texas, Solid Waste Association of North America, Staples, U.S. Conference of Mayors, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Waste Management / Recycle America, Inc.