STAR POWER FUELS E-RECYCLING CAMPAIGN
The state of California, working with Hollywood’s environmental community, has launched a multi-media consumer awareness and public information campaign in an effort to educate the state’s residents about electronics recycling.
The eRecycle campaign includes celebrity-narrated public service announcements, in-store materials and an interactive Web site (www.eRecycle.org) designed to educate residents on the proper disposal procedures for outdated televisions and computer monitors.
Celebrities such as Jeff Goldblum and Esai Morales have lent their voices to narrate the television and radio spots. Consumer electronics manufacturers partially underwrote the campaign.
The campaign follows the Jan. 1st implementation of California’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act. Retailers statewide have been collecting an Electronic Waste Recycling fee for each covered electronic device that has been purchased. Retailers remit those fees to California’s Board of Equalization.
The money collected will fund a payment system for the proper collection and recycling of these products at the end of their service life.
To launch the eRecycle public information campaign, the state teamed with the Earth Communications Office (ECO), an internationally respected non-profit organization based in the Hollywood community.
Actor Esai Morales is a board member of ECO.
"I’m excited about eRecycle because finally, we’re being given the opportunity to easily recycle some of the big-ticket items such as televisions and computer monitors," Morales says. "I think it’s great that California is stepping up to help manage the issue while educating the public."
Jeff Goldblum, who narrates one of the television spots, says, "It’s good to live in a state like California where we can set an example by being first to launch an initiative such as this. I hope other states follow suit."
FLOAT ON
Brazilian businessman Eduardo P. de Carvalho will sail the São Francisco River aboard a boat made from 2,040 PET bottles to illustrate the potential of reuse and recycling. He has termed the trip Project MegaPET.
Carvalho’s boat measures approximately 22 feet long and was developed by a nautical engineer and approved by the Brazilian Navy. His trip will start in June and conclude in August.
During the journey, Carvalho will give lectures about recycling and ecology issues and teach children how to make toys out of PET bottles.
The boat is primarily wind powered, though it does include an outboard motor and oars.
Carvalho currently is looking for Project MegaPET sponsors and can be contacted at projectmegapet@projectmegapet.com.br.
PAINTING THE TOWN GREEN
The town of San Jose Villanueva, El Salvador, hopes to become a cleaner place in 2005, thanks to 2,100 recycling bins donated by Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Cascade Engineering.
Cascade Engineering made the donation in conjunction with Epilogos Charities, a non-profit organization that seeks to bring lasting relief to victims of poverty through education, leadership training and community development. The 18-gallon recycling bins, along with donated clothing, dental equipment and other supplies, arrived in El Salvador in January.
"Cascade Engineering’s sustainable business philosophy extends beyond the local West Michigan community and we’re happy to help out with these bins," Mike Lobbestael, Cascade Engineering vice president of Industrial Solutions, says. "This donation is a way for us to help an impoverished village improve their living conditions, waste disposal and removal. It’s good for the environment, but more importantly, it’s good for the residents of San Jose Villanueva."
Epilogos Charities says waste removal is a major problem in the village and the bins will dramatically decrease diseases caused by festering garbage.
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