Georgia DCA Launches New Recycling Initiative

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs has launched a new recycling campaign that is designed to spotlight non-recyclers and their excuses for not recycling.  A recent study determined that approximately 40% of waste produced by Georgians is actually recyclable, and with a recycling industry the scale of which is second only to California, Georgia needs the recyclables that its residents are throwing into landfills.

Gloria Hardegree, executive director of the Georgia Recycling Coalition, cited the nation's failing economy and the worldwide "war on climate change" as key reasons to recycle.  She hopes that the new campaign will show Georgia residents how easy it is to recycle. 

As part of the campaign, a cast of characters proudly don the "I don't recycle!" slogan on their t-shirts and paint a picture that supposedly reveals what non-recyclers look like to their families and friends.  The campaign will rely heavily on community support and use, and is just one tier of a comprehensive strategy to boost Georgia recycling.  The strategy also includes the development of regional Recycling Hubs for material collection and transfer, and an event recycling grant program designed to capture materials from special events and venues.  

For more information on the new campaign, visit www.YouGottaBeKidding.org. 

Schools Win Recycling Award

Ten Georgia schools turned trash into treasure when they collected $1,000 each as winners of the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation’s 2007 “Excellence in Recycling” awards. The schools will use the money to either begin or expand recycling programs.

The foundation awarded a total of $10,000 to the schools for collecting recyclable products and promoting environmental education and events. Weyerhaeuser presented the awards at a Feb. 19, 2008, luncheon in Atlanta where students toured the Robert C. Williams Paper Museum.

The program, which is in its tenth year, is administered by the Georgia Recycling Coalition. Executive Director Gloria Hardegree said student leadership and instructional emphasis are priorities for selection. Students are expected to take part in program planning and collection of items that vary from milk cartons and drink boxes to newspaper, yard trimmings, food waste and steel cans.

“Students at some of these schools have helped arrange assemblies, plan an Earth Day event, publish a newsletter or sponsor a poster/essay contest,” she said.

“This year’s contest brings the total amount of grants since 1998 to $110,000,” said Monte Simpson, Weyerhaeuser public affairs manager.

The 2007 recycling award winners are:

Division A – Recognizing an Outstanding Program: Amana Academy, Alpharetta; Arcado Elementary, Lilburn; Centennial High School, Roswell; The Paideia School, Atlanta; Sylvester Elementary, Sylvester.

Division B - Expanding Existing Programs: Campbell High School, Smyrna; Woody Gap School, Suches.

Division C – Beginning a Program: Chestatee High School, Gainesville; David C. Barrow Elementary, Athens; Willis Sutton Middle School, Atlanta.

The mission of the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation is to improve the quality of life in communities where Weyerhaeuser has a presence. Since 1948, the Foundation has directed more than $183 million to the communities where Weyerhaeuser employees work, live and play. Nationwide, the Foundation’s annual philanthropic budget totals $10 million.