The Maine Cos., Zion, Ill., which includes Maine Plastics and A Greener Solution, has partnered with the American Red Cross to launch a program called Recycling for Relief. 

The initiative aims to use the postindustrial recycling community’s infrastructure to raise funds to help the American Red Cross with ongoing disaster relief efforts in the wake of national emergencies such as Superstorm Sandy.

During the pilot phase, the goal is to create a partnership program with manufacturers, recyclers and industry associations as well as raise $50,000 from Nov. 22, 2012, through the end of 2013. According to a news release issued by the Maine Cos., it will provide all logistics and support for the pilot program and make a cash contribution of at least 10 percent of the total pilot goal.

Manufacturers and suppliers who generate plastic, metal, paper and other recyclable byproducts can indicate that a portion of their recyclables be used as a donation to the American Red Cross. The Maine Cos. will pick up, process and donate the fair-market value of the recyclables to the American Red Cross.

The goal for the Maine Cos. is “to attract and inspire recycling companies, manufacturers, associations and others affiliated with the sustainability industry to join together to develop an ongoing support program for the American Red Cross and their relief efforts,” the news release states.

“We appreciate, firsthand, the important and critical work being done by the American Red Cross,” says David Spitulnik, the firm’s president. “We also understand that relief efforts do not stop when the disaster is no longer front-page news. Our goal is to create a sustainable program to help the American Red Cross and their disaster relief efforts.”

The Maine Cos. is inviting interested organizations to take part in Recycling for Relief either by donating their plastic, metal and paper byproducts to the Recycling for Relief initiative or by assisting in program logistics. Organizations also can make a donation directly to the American Red Cross on behalf of Recycling for Relief.

“The plan is not for this to be a Maine Cos.’ initiative, but to stimulate the starting point for an ongoing charitable program supported by the entire sustainability community,” says Spitulnik. “We look forward to working with our entire community on this effort.”

Those wishing to take part in the Recycling for Relief program can contact a Maine Plastics representative or email the company through its website at www.maineplastics.com/about/contact.

Maine Cos. has more than 300 employees and 11 facilities nationwide.