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EPA Exhibit Showcases Innovative Ways to Recycle

Release Date: 11/15/2004
Contact Information: Bonnie Lomax, 215-814-5542

Bonnie Lomax, 215-814-5542

PHILADELPHIA - In celebration of America Recycles Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regional office is making merry with recycling – and setting the fashion world on its ear – with its current exhibit, Ex trash aganza.

Ex trash aganza spotlights fashions created by 18 Pennsylvania students from recycled materials.

The wedding dress made from old coffee filters wouldn’t suit every bride, but it certainly showcases Philadelphia University student Jaclyn Kelly’s artistic flair.

An equal showstopper is fellow Philadelphia U. student Andrew Glensk’s creation -- a dress fabricated entirely from aluminum can tabs.

Jessica Yunginger of the Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts in York made a handbag from plastic soda bottle labels. Gregory Ruszak of Lancaster Catholic High School wove a handbag from VHS tape, presumably an appropriate carrier for transporting movies to and from the video store.

“This display takes a lighthearted approach to a serious subject,” said Donald S. Welsh, EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator. “The whimsy in our latest exhibit calls attention to recycling, which is the practical way to deal with the millions of tons of waste which Americans generate every year.”

Other schools participating in the exhibit at EPA’s public information center are the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and Millersville University in Lancaster. The exhibit is free to the public, and runs through December 31, 2004.

This years exhibit coincides with the eighth annual America Recycles Day on November 15, 2004. America Recycles Day was established in 1997 to bring attention to the importance of recycling and promote citizen involvement.

EPA’s public information center, located on the first floor of EPA’s offices at 1650 Arch Street in Philadelphia, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. All visitors are required to pass through security, including a metal detector, and those 16 years of age and older must show photo identification.

For additional information on this exhibit, call the public information center at 215-814-5121. Special arrangements can be made for school group visits.