BALTIMORE, MD (July 11, 2001) – The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), in partnership with the Prince George’s County Department of Environmental Resources, has recently launched the Look for the Loop pilot program in the City of College Park.

Look for the Loop aims to increase consumer awareness about the range of products made from recycled materials and to encourage businesses to carry products made from recycled material.

Businesses who participate in Look for the Loop will benefit in several ways. Participating businesses will receive recognition in local publicity about the program in newspapers, business journals and web sites. Shelf tags will be provided to participating businesses to highlight the recycled products available and help increase sales. Participating businesses will also be provided a decal for their store window and informational brochures to show their customers that their business helps conserve natural resources and protect the environment by selling products made from recycled materials.

“Look for the Loop achieves the goal of closing the recycling loop by marketing products made of recycled material,” said MDE Secretary Jane T. Nishida. “There are a wide range of products that can be made from recycled materials and using these products completes the cycle.”

Samuel E. Wynkoop Jr., Director of the Prince George's County Department of Environmental Resources, said, "We are proud to partner with MDE in this effort to create consumer awareness on the availability of products made of recycled material."

To take advantage of all the benefits this program has to offer, interested businesses should visit the MDE web site at www.mde.state.md.us and download an application, or contact the Prince George’s County Waste Reduction Section via email at merybak@co.pg.md.us or call (301) 883-5045.

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