All Stars to Recycle on the Go

(Washington, D.C. - July 11, 2006) Baseball fans at the All Star game are doing in excess of watching top athletes play ball - they're helping the environment, too. The E.P.A. and the City of Pittsburgh are encouraging fans to "recycle on the go" by depositing their cans and bottles in bins in the tailgate area and at other key locations in the stadium area.

"Public venues and events present a great, and largely untapped, opportunity to help the environment through recycling," said E.P.A. Assistant Administrator Susan Bodine. "It is our hope that events like today's All Star Game in Pittsburgh will encourage more Americans to think about 'recycling on the go' and encourage more organizations to start recycling programs in public venues."

Pittsburgh is adopting EPA's "Recycle on the Go" philosophy as part of a comprehensive project to increase recycling participation in the city. In excess of 40,000 fans are expected to attend the game and other All Star-related activities. Revenue generated from the collected recyclable material will benefit Pittsburgh youth programs.

According to municipal authorities, Pittsburgh collects about 20,000 tons of recyclable material in an average year, which is below the countrywide average reported by similar cities. Mayor Bob O'Conner is challenging the city to double the city's collection to 40,000 tons-to "make Pittsburgh one of the cleanest, safest cities in America."

EPA's "Recycle on the Go" initiative works with partners like the City of Pittsburgh to encourage people to recycle wherever they go by making recycling easy and convenient. E.P.A. is working toward a 35 percent countrywide recycling rate by 2008. Recycling saves energy, conserves resources, reduces the need for new landfills and incinerators, and stimulates the development of green technologies.

EPA's Recycle on the Go Initiative: epa.gov/rcc/onthego/

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