In celebration of America Recycles Day and the 25th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s recycling law, the PA Recycling Markets Center and its partners Thursday unveiled a new Recycling Works! exhibit at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg,

Taking part in the opening of the exhibit were Acting DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo and representatives of the PA Historical and Museum Commission, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and the PA Waste Industries Association.

(Photo: Robert Bylone, PA Recycling Markets Center and DEP Acting Secretary Chris Abruzzo help open the exhibit.)

“Recycling is a key component of environmental protection,” said Abruzzo. “Exhibits like this demonstrate just how easy it is to recycle; all Pennsylvanians can play a part in protecting the environment.”

Abruzzo noted In 1988 Pennsylvania became one of the first states to mandate curbside recycling in every community in the state with a population of 5,000 or more.

Today, more than 11.6 million residents, at least 94 percent of the state's population, have access to recycling. About 79 percent have convenient access to recycling through about 1,050 curbside pickup programs and more than 870 drop-off programs in more rural areas extend recycling to the greatest number of communities.

Pennsylvania now recycles over 6 million tons of waste every year.  Recycling manufacturing employs over 52,000 people with a payroll of almost $2.1 billion and annual sales of over $21 billion in the Commonwealth.

Abruzzo urged residents to--

— Purchase products made with recycled content;

— Recycle plastic and glass containers, cans and cartons;

— Compost lawn clippings and other yard waste;

— Recycle cardboard boxes, newspaper and other household paper;

— Take household hazardous waste such as paint, batteries and antifreeze to a municipal collection events; and

— Recycle unwanted electronic devices.

Click Here to watch Abruzzo’s full remarks.

“We are excited to share that recycling means business in Pennsylvania,” said Robert J. Bylone, Jr., executive director for the Recycling Markets Center. “From recycling technology advancements to the Pennsylvania products that are created using our recycled materials, this exhibit shines light on the important role recycling plays in the overall well-being of our environment and economy.”

“The success our state continues to have in the area of recycling is due in part to the efforts of our communities,” said Bylone. “That’s one of the reasons we choose to unveil this exhibit to correspond with America Recycles Day (November 15) and partner with the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful organization.

Click Here to watch Bylone’s remarks.

“The choices that we, as individuals, make to both recycle and buy recycled products is what drives the success of recycling in Pennsylvania,” said Shallon A. Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “Thank you to the State Museum of Pennsylvania for showcasing this exhibit which demonstrates to the public how our collective action lead to cleaner and more beautiful communities.”

Click Here to watch Reiter’s full remarks.

“PWIA is part of recycling in many ways.  Our member companies provide recycling services to customers across the state,” said Mark Pedersen, president of PA Waste Industries Association.  “We’re pleased to join you here, today, not only to celebrate America Recycles Day and help unveil this new exhibit, but also to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of Pennsylvania’s recycling law.”

Click Here to watch Pedersen’s remarks.

James Vaughan, executive director of the PA Historical and Museum Commission, said the Recycling Works! exhibit is the first of several initiatives to update the State Museum’s display areas to include more current themes, like recycling and endangered and invasive species.

The Commission is partnering with agencies like DEP, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Fish and Boat and Game Commissions to make the new exhibits available to the public.

Click Here to watch Vaughan’s remarks.

Recycling Works! is a display of Pennsylvania manufactured recycled content products; the history of recycled content product manufacturing and grassroots recycling in Pennsylvania; and advancements of recycling technology including Single Stream Recycling.

The exhibit, located on the third floor of the State Museum, will be on display adjacent to Mammal Hall through January 2014.  It will then travel around the state to educate the public about how Recycling Works! in Pennsylvania.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania is located at 300 North Street, Harrisburg.

For more information on recycling, visit DEP’s Pennsylvania Recycling webpage.

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Latest DEP News Highlights Natural Gas Grants, Solar Rebates, Mine Subsidence

The November 15 issue of DEP News highlighted the announcement of natural gas vehicle conversion grants, solar rebates for homeowners and businesses, completion of mine subsidence repair work in Murrysville and opening of the Recycling Works exhibit at the State Museum.  Click Here to sign up to get your own copy by email.

11/18/2013