MADISON – Recycling has long been touted as an important component of keeping Wisconsin’s environment “green,” but state environmental officials say that recycling has been increasingly becoming more “green” in another area vital for Wisconsin: the bottom line.
Businesses and organizations involved in the recycling industry in Wisconsin are providing thousands of jobs in the state, according to the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Waste and Materials Management, which is releasing a new publication and video promoting the economic and environmental vitality of Wisconsin’s recycling businesses.
“Wisconsin Recycling Means Business” is a 50-page color publication which profiles nearly 30 businesses and organizations on the cutting edge of the recycling business boom. It covers the electronics recycling sector; paper; plastics; metal; rubber; glass; and much more.
“Too Valuable to Waste: (Recyclable Materials in Wisconsin’s Economy)” is a six and a half minute video, (primarily musically driven), that illustrates how paper, plastics, and other recyclables are changed into brand new products once they leave the curb, all while creating thousands of good jobs. “Too Valuable to Waste” is the winner of a 2005 Bronze Telly Award for video documentary shorts. It was produced by DNR’s Video Production Services.
“We’re excited to help spread the word that recycling isn’t only good for our environment – it’s good for our economy as well,” said Suzanne Bangert, Director of the Bureau of Waste and Materials Management.
The publication and video are part of an overall outreach campaign by the DNR recycling program to help increase recycling rates around the state and illustrate the availability of ready markets for recyclable raw materials. The intended audiences include elected officials, policy-makers, and the general public. Some of the businesses highlighted in either the video or the publication include: Wausau Tile; N.E.W. Plastics; the Waukesha Materials Recovery Facility; among others.
Both the recycling publication and video are available on the DNR Web site in streaming and downloadable formats.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cynthia Moore - (608) 267-7550
WDNR - DNR News - August 15, 2006
