Environment DEC
From the December 2007 issue
Grannis Marks "America Recycles Day"
Recognizing November 15 as "America Recycles Day,'' New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis encouraged residents to increase recycling and buy recycled products whenever they can.
Recycling Makes Environmental/Economic Sense
"Recycling makes a difference in our environment, from using natural resources wisely, to reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Grannis said. "And it also helps our economic well-being. Roughly 20,000 people are employed in recycling processing and manufacturing in our state."
Recycling paper, both at home and the office, is a simple way to make a big difference for the environment
Along with Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner John Egan, Grannis toured SCA Tissue, a Saratoga County-based company that uses 100 percent recycled paper and is the largest paper recycler in the state. Grannis also unveiled a proclamation by Governor Spitzer, declaring November 15 "New York Recycles Day."
Grannis highlighted the governor's commitment to boosting recycling in New York State. As Attorney General, Spitzer sued private haulers that were mixing pre-sorted recyclables with regular garbage. Soon after becoming governor, he instituted recycling in the Capitol building. He has also been a major advocate of the "Bigger Better Bottle Bill,'' which would greatly increase the number of beverage containers to be recycled.
New York Leads in Recycling
New York's statewide recycling rate grew dramatically in the decade following the time when the infamous "garbage barge" trawled the Eastern Seaboard. From three percent in 1987, the rate hit 42 percent in 1997, including rates for residential, construction and demolition debris. Growth has flattened since and is now about 48 percent, but this is still well ahead of the national average of 28 percent. Grannis, a supporter of expanding the Bottle Bill, said that the need to increase recycling opportunities is critical to reducing litter, freeing up pressure on landfills and combating climate change.
More Information
See Recycling and Composting for more information on the "3 Rs" (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). E-mail DEC's Bureau of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling at dshmwrr@gw.dec.state.ny.us to receive a free 2008 New York Recycles! Calendar.
