BALTIMORE (November 12, 1998) -- Governor Parris N. Glendening has designated November 15 as America Recycles Day in Maryland to focus on the need to reduce waste by reusing, recycling and buying recycled products.

"Recycling saves millions of taxpayer dollars in disposal costs, creates jobs and is recognized as an easy way for citizens to help protect the environment by avoiding unnecessary use of important resources," said Maryland Secretary of the Environment Jane Nishida. "Maryland landfills receive more than 4 million tons of municipal solid waste each year which is about 4 pounds per person per day."

This year's theme is If you're not buying recycled, you're not really recycling. Here are some ways to encourage recycling:

• Commit to "Buy Recycled" at home and encourage the use of recycled-content products at your office.
• Take a tour of a local facility that processes recyclables or manufactures recycled content products. Contact the Maryland Recyclers Coalition at (410) 974-1680 or visit their website at www.marylandrecyclers.org
• Ask local retailers to stock more products made from recycled materials.
• Look for materials that always have recycled content such as steel, aluminum, glass, molded paper pulp containers.
• Purchase remanufactured products and equipment such as toner cartridges, office furniture, auto parts, re-refined oil or retreaded tires.
• Read product labels and look for recycled content, especially post consumer content.
• If one of your favorite products does not have recycled content, contact the manufacturer and ask them to change it.

Marylanders are being asked to pledge to recycle and shop for recycled products. All pledges received by MDE by November 15 will be entered into a national drawing for the "American Green Dream House" -- a new 3-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home built with recycled materials. The drawing will be held on December 15 in Washington D.C. One entry is allowed per person. Last year, approximately 750,000 people took the pledge and the house was won by Sergeant Robert Portillo of El Paso, Texas.

Pledge cards should be mailed to America Recycles Day, Maryland Department of the Environment, 2500 Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD 21224. Additional pledge cards can be obtained by calling (410) 974-1680 or 1-800-YES-I-CAN, or by visiting the Maryland Recyclers Coalition website at www.marylandrecyclesday.org or the America Recycles Day website at www.americarecyclesday.org or by visiting MDE's website at mde.maryland.gov

America Recycles Day in Maryland is sponsored by the Maryland Recyclers Coalition, Anne Arundel County Government, Harford County Government -- Recycling Office, BGE, Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages, Chesapeake Paperboard Company, Clorox Products Manufacturing Company, Collins & Aikman Floorcoverings, Eco Print, Partners Quality Recycling Company, Philips Technologies/Airpax Protection Group, the Solid Waste Association of North America Mid-Atlantic Chapter, WJZ-TV, the Maryland Environmental Service and MDE.

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