Governor Urges Illinoisans to Buy Recycled and Participate in America Recycles Day Activities

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today used the launch of the 2000 Two-Month Traveling Trunk Tour to urge Illinoisans to participate in activities leading up to America Recycles Day (ARD) in Illinois.

"America Recycles Day is officially celebrated on November 15," Ryan said, "but all across Illinois, conservation-minded consumers are already thinking of actions they can take to strengthen their commitment to recycling. One key way is making a point to purchase products manufactured from, or sold in packaging manufactured from recycled materials."

The 2000 Two-Month Traveling Trunk Tour will give Illinois consumers an opportunity to see examples of the wide variety of recycled-content items already available. It's just one of the many activities planned throughout the state to help shoppers learn more about ways they can promote growth of the Illinois recycling industry.

The Department of Commerce and Community Affairs' (DCCA) Bureau of Energy and Recycling coordinates America Recycles Day activities with the Illinois Recycling Association. Last year, DCCA Director Pam McDonough joined with First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan to launch the Traveling Trunk program at the Illinois State Fair.

"Taking recyclables to the curb or drop-off center is an important step, but there's more that can be done," McDonough said. "By looking for, and purchasing products made from recycled commodities, consumers create a demand for these products, thereby encouraging even more recycling and continuing to build an industry that creates jobs for Illinois workers."

Mitch Beaver, Deputy Director for DCCA's Bureau of Energy and Recycling joined with Illinois State University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Alvin Goldfarb and a host of local dignitaries today in launching the 2000 Two-Month Traveling Trunk Tour from the quadrangle at ISU. Each added a recycled-content item to one of the 14 trunks that will travel throughout Illinois, showcasing recycled-content products to consumers.

Among the items already loaded in the trunks are flower pots made of recycled rubber; T-shirts manufactured from recycled cotton; cookie cutters made of recycled aluminum; plastic bags manufactured from recycled plastic; and a host of other items.

The trunks will be shipped throughout the state, compliments of the U.S. Postal Service, one of ARD's national sponsors. At each tour stop, local recycling coordinators will host activities designed to call attention to recycled-content products, offering participants the opportunity to add an item to the trunk.

The 2000 Two-Month Traveling Trunk Tour will culminate with a grand re-opening event scheduled for November 13 at ISU, which will kick off a week of ARD activities throughout Illinois. Each trunk will then be provided to the local coordinators who participated in the tour, who will utilize it for future educational presentations.

America Recycles Day, now in its fourth year, is designed to generate public enthusiasm for recycling and help introduce consumers to the importance of buying recycled-content products. Nationally, the effort is sponsored by The 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance, BuyReman.com, Ford Motor Company, The Home Depot, the National Soft Drink Association, the U.S. Postal Service, Waste Management, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, the Buy Recycled Business Alliance, and the Steel Recycling Institute. In Illinois, state sponsors include Casey's General Stores, Jewel/Albertson's, Target, the Hyatt Regency-Chicago, the Illinois Press Association, the Illinois State Chamber, Wildlife Prairie Park, the Illinois Recycling Association, the Illinois Counties Solid Waste Management Association, the Chicago Department of Environment, and DCCA.

"Many consumers are buying recycled without even knowing it," Governor Ryan said. "Aluminum cans, steel food cans, glass bottles and jars, and paperboard cereal boxes nearly always have recycled content. But many other goods also contain recycled commodities - everything from automobile parts to carpeting and construction materials."

In fact, the Grand Prize being offered in this year's national America Recycles Day contest is a new home, valued at approximately $200,000, built primarily with recycled-content and energy-efficient products. Adults who "take the recycling pledge" by filling out a pledge card, will be entered in the national drawing.

For more information, or to take the recycling pledge and be eligible for prizes, visit: