Recognizing November 15th as America Recycles Day in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, America Recycles Day is a national initiative of the “Keep America Beautiful” coalition, originally formed in the 1950s. Following World War II, production of single-use plastics was at an all-time high in the United States. The coalition was formed to pick up trash that was pilling up in parks. From there, American curbside pick up of recycling began; and

WHEREAS,

Historically, recycling has played a significant role in protecting our environment. A study form the National Institutes of Health found that making products from recyclables results in substantial energy savings. Specifically, recycled steel saves 60% of production energy, recycled newspaper saves 40% of production energy, recycled plastics save 70% of production energy, and recycled glass saves forty percent of production energy; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has participated in comprehensive recycling efforts for many years and was a pioneer in curbside recycling in the United States. The City of Philadelphia has made recycling a core strategy of Clean PHL, the City’s effort to become 90% zero waste and litter-free by 2035. In order to reach this goal, Clean PHL utilizes the Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet, which is

composed of major City departments and agencies, City Council representatives, community stakeholders, and is chaired by the Managing Director;

and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Streets Department operates a number of community-based recycling initiatives, including PhilaCycle and the Green Schools Program. The PhilaCycle program encourages participation in recycling by creating a system in which citizens can earn points for recycling, sign up for recycling-related volunteer projects, and recruit their neighbors to join in on the recycling effort. The Green Schools Program enables school communities to implement student-led proposals that promote environmental education, innovation, and creative green solutions; and

WHEREAS, The Streets Department will host an America Recycles Day pop-up event at the Municipal Services Building on November 15th. During the event, participants will be able to engage in a recycling challenge that brings awareness to important information citizens can use to avoid contamination in recycling; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize November 15th as

America Recycles Day in the City of Philadelphia.

End