NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2006    

Contacts:  
Tracey Halliday 
(202) 463-6718

Jennifer Tzitzon
(202) 463-6705

AMERICAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION APPLAUDS AMERICA RECYCLES DAY

WASHINGTON — The American Beverage Association (ABA) applauds America Recycles Day and urges consumers to do their part for the environment by participating in community recycling programs.   As a founding sponsor of America Recycles Day, ABA supports comprehensive recycling efforts across the country and recently became a founding member in the National Recycling Partnership. 

The National Recycling Partnership is a coalition created to revive consumers’ interest in recycling by educating them on what, how and why to recycle.  The coalition includes the National Recycling Coalition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Beverage Association, the Food Marketing Institute, the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the International Bottled Water Association.  The coalition plans to increase recycling participation through development and dissemination of consumer-friendly recycling icons, accurate and standardized recycling terminology for product labeling and advertising. 

“The beverage industry has a longstanding commitment to recycling and we are proud of our industry’s efforts and our strong partnerships designed to promote recycling throughout the country,” said Susan Neely, president and CEO, American Beverage Association.  “Recycling is critically important to everyone in our industry, including our customers and our suppliers.”

The American Beverage Association also continues to promote the availability of its award-winning Recycle It Now advertising spots, which communities across the country, both large and small, are using to encourage recycling among consumers.  Communities have implemented the Recycle It Now campaign in Hampton Roads, Va.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Raleigh, N.C.; San Antonio, Texas and major cities throughout Ohio.  The campaign recently added three new Spanish language radio spots, which are steadily gaining in popularity, which will allow local recycling officials to reach even more consumers.

Beverage containers are America’s most recycled consumer packaging.  In fact, the aluminum beverage can is the most recycled consumer product package on the market today.

Currently, more than half of all aluminum beverage containers are recycled.  Aluminum cans also are the most valuable commodity in the waste stream, so revenue from the sale of collected cans helps support recycling programs all over the country. 

PET (plastic) beverage containers also are widely recycled and very valuable for communities and recyclers.  Glass beverage containers can be recycled over and over again, and are in great demand in the areas around glass processing plants in the United States.

Currently, packaging produced by ABA members represents about 1.7 percent of all municipal waste generated each year.  The beverage industry strives to produce packaging that is recyclable and to reduce the amount of packaging it uses. 

To learn more about America Recycles Day, visit www.americarecyclesday.org, or log onto www.ameribev.org/industry-issues/environment/recycling for more information about recycling.

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The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.

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