Celebrate Recycling This Independence Day ... And All Summer Long

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- While celebrating our nation's birthday this summer, Plastics Make it Possible® encourages Americans to take advantage of newly expanded opportunities to recycle plastics. According to a recent study, 94 percent of the American population now has access to plastic bottle recycling, and 40 percent can recycle other types of plastic containers such as yogurt cups, dairy containers and lids.  

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"Recycling plastics is an important way to protect our environment and help bottles, bags and containers from our summer celebrations live a second life as carpeting, decking, T-shirts, packaging and other products," said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council, which funded the study. The recycling study was conducted by Moore Recycling Associates Inc. for the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, a nonprofit group that works to increase recycling.

To celebrate wider access to plastics recycling – and to encourage consumers to go red, white, blue and green – Plastics Make it Possible® offers the following reuse and recycling tips for Independence Day and other celebrations:

• Make a Place for Plastics – Be sure to set out a clearly marked recycling bin during your festivities. Check out Earth911 if you're unsure which plastic products can be recycled in your community -- it's easy to search by zip code.
• Take Recycling Outdoors – Plastic bottles and containers are handy for outdoor gatherings since they're lightweight and shatter-resistant -- make sure you bring a bag or bin for recycling them.  Remember, caps can be recycled, too.  The Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers recommends putting the cap back on the bottle and tossing the whole thing in the bin.
• Protect and Preserve – Insulated plastic foam coolers, re-freezable ice packs and reusable plastic containers can help you transport and preserve your party food and drinks – they also come in handy for fresh veggies and fruit from your farmer's market.
• Wave a Recycled Banner – You'll have another reason to proudly wave the American flag this July 4 – some flag makers are using yarn made from recycled plastic beverage bottles.
• Save and Reuse – After the party's over, protect your decorations and other provisions from the elements in sealable plastic storage bins or bags – until it's time to celebrate again.

For more recycling and celebration tips, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com.

About Plastics Make it Possible®

Plastics Make it Possible® highlights the many ways plastics inspire innovations that improve our lives, solve big problems and help us design a safer, more promising future. This initiative is sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council. For more information, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com, check out our Facebook page and follow us @plasticpossible on twitter at www.twitter.com/plasticpossible.

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The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $720 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.

Contact:  Jennifer Killinger (202) 249-6619
Email:  [email protected]

SOURCE Plastics Make it Possible