For Release: Thursday, November 15, 2007
Grannis Marks "America Recycles Day"
New Yorkers Encouraged to Participate in Annual Commitment to Recycling
Recognizing Nov. 15 as "America Recycles Day,'' New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today encouraged residents to increase recycling and buy recycled products whenever they can.
"Recycling makes a difference in our environment, from using natural resources wisely to reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Grannis said. "And it helps the economic well-being of our state. Roughly 20,000 people are employed in recycling processing and manufacturing in our state."
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 Eliot Spitzer declaring Nov. 15 as "New York Recycles Day."
"Since the Office of General Services' Solid Waste Management Program was established, the recycling program has generated revenue for the state, reduced the demand for landfill space and helped the state reduce costly tipping fees," Egan said. "OGS will continue to work with our state government partners to enhance our recycling efforts, which will protect the environment and save the state money."
Grannis highlighted the Governor's overall 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. He also has been a major advocate of the "Bigger Better Bottle Bill,'' which would increase the number of beverage containers to be recycled.
New York's statewide recycling rate grew dramatically in the decade following the infamous "garbage barge" trawled the Eastern Seaboard. From 3 percent in 1987, the rate hit 42 percent in 1997 (covering rates for residential, construction and demolition debris). The growth has flattened since; it is now about 48 percent. But that is still well ahead of the national average, 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.
For more information on the "3 Rs" (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), go to the DEC's publications at - http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/294.html. E-mail the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Bureau of Solid Waste, Reduction & Recycling (dshmwrr@gw.dec.state.ny.us.) to receive a free 2008 New York Recycles! Calendar.
