April 3, 2001: Green Star Press Release

Contact: Jeanne Carlson
Green Star Recycling Program Coordinator
Phone: 278-7839
Fax: 279-5868
Email: Jeanne@greenstarinc.org

April 3, 2001
For Immediate Release

RECYCLING WINS GOLD AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Recycling was a success at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Alaska. With the help of Green Star, an Anchorage-based nonprofit organization, and a team of about 30 dedicated recycling volunteers, spectators and athletes alike were able to put their plastic bottles and aluminum cans into recycling bins located in the sporting venues and at Special Olympics town in the Egan Center. The Olympic villages at various hotels also collected recyclable materials. From behind-the-scenes areas, volunteers collected cardboard and mixed paper. All the recyclable material collected at the venues was transported to the Special Olympics warehouse where a team of volunteers sorted the materials to remove contaminants.

Even though the Games are over, the recycling effort is not yet complete. Logistics staff are still sorting large quantities of excess flyers and other literature before some of it is put into recycling bins. However, most of the material has been weighed and the final tally was almost 3.5 tons of materials. This included close to 25,000 beverage containers (aluminum cans and plastic bottles).

The breakdown of recyclables collected was 500 pounds of aluminum cans, 523 pounds of plastic bottles, 740 pounds (so far) of mixed paper, and 5,400 pounds of corrugated cardboard. These materials will all be baled and shipped to recycling markets through Smurfit-Stone’s recycling center in Anchorage.

The effort was part of Green Star’s recently developed Green Events program to help special events recycle in Anchorage. It is also a result of the strong environmental ethic of the Special Olympics organizers, who developed their master plan for the Games to include a recycling component.

Green Star developed the Green Events program last year in response to a visible need to enhance public recycling in Anchorage. As a tourist and business destination, Anchorage benefits greatly from an improved environmental image, while event planners and facilities benefit from the increased efficiency and reduced waste disposal that recycling and waste prevention creates.

Green Events is just one of Green Star’s programs to assist local businesses and institutions to meet their waste reduction goals. For more information about the Green Events program or any of Green Star’s Award programs, contact Green Star at (907) 278-7827 (general information) or 278-7839 (Green Events information). Send email to greenstr@alaska.net. Visit Green Star’s web site at www.greenstarinc.org.

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		Green Star, Inc. 880 H Street, Suite 106 Anchorage, AK 99501 NEWS RELEASE Contact: Jeanne Carlson Green Star Recycling Program Coordinator Phone: 278-7839 Fax: 279-5868 Email: Jeanne@greenstarinc.org April 3, 2001 For Immediate Release RECYCLING WINS GOLD AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS Recycling was a success at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Alaska. With the help of Green Star, an Anchorage-based nonprofit organization, and a team of about 30 dedicated recycling volunteers, spectators and athletes alike were able to put their plastic bottles and aluminum cans into recycling bins located in the sporting venues and at Special Olympics town in the Egan Center. The Olympic villages at various hotels also collected recyclable materials. From behind-the-scenes areas, volunteers collected cardboard and mixed paper. All the recyclable material collected at the venues was transported to the Special Olympics warehouse where a team of volunteers sorted the materials to remove contaminants. Even though the Games are over, the recycling effort is not yet complete. Logistics staff are still sorting large quantities of excess flyers and other literature before some of it is put into recycling bins. However, most of the material has been weighed and the final tally was almost 3.5 tons of materials. This included close to 25,000 beverage containers (aluminum cans and plastic bottles). The breakdown of recyclables collected was 500 pounds of aluminum cans, 523 pounds of plastic bottles, 740 pounds (so far) of mixed paper, and 5,400 pounds of corrugated cardboard. These materials will all be baled and shipped to recycling markets through Smurfit-Stone’s recycling center in Anchorage. The effort was part of Green Star’s recently developed Green Events program to help special events recycle in Anchorage. It is also a result of the strong environmental ethic of the Special Olympics organizers, who developed their master plan for the Games to include a recycling component. Green Star developed the Green Events program last year in response to a visible need to enhance public recycling in Anchorage. As a tourist and business destination, Anchorage benefits greatly from an improved environmental image, while event planners and facilities benefit from the increased efficiency and reduced waste disposal that recycling and waste prevention creates. Green Events is just one of Green Star’s programs to assist local businesses and institutions to meet their waste reduction goals. For more information about the Green Events program or any of Green Star’s Award programs, contact Green Star at (907) 278-7827 (general information) or 278-7839 (Green Events information). Send email to greenstr@alaska.net. Visit Green Star’s web site at www.greenstarinc.org. ###