Memo- America Recycles Day ProclamationsMemorandum
TO:
COPY:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Steven C. Mielke, City Manager
Steven J. Stadler, Public Works Director
Kathy Max- McIntosh
October 1, 1998
America Recycles Day Proclamation
The purpose of this memo is to request that the city council proclaim November 15, 1998
as America Recycles Day in Hopkins ". Additionally staff would request that the Mayor
and City Council members sign pledges showing their personal support for America
Recycles Day.
Last year America Recycles Day debuted as America's first national recycling awareness
day and was celebrated at more than 3,000 events in more than 45 states, the Virgin
Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. The slogan last year was "Keep Recycling Working:
Buy Recycled ".
The theme this year is "If You're Not Buying Recycled, You're Not Really Recycling ".
The theme is based on the goal of America Recycles day, which is to increase the
purchase of recycled — content products and recycling throughout America. America
Recycles day is a way to make consumers aware of the importance of "buying recycled"
and to emphasize the message that you're not really recycling unless you buy recycled
products. America Recycles Day challenges all Americans to make a pledge to increase
their purchases of Recycled- content products.
As an incentive for Americans to pledge to increase buying recycled, a national contest is
being organized with a special prize. Pledge cards will be entered in a national contest to
win the American Green Dream Home. This grand prize is a beautiful 3- bedroom home
build primarily with recycled - content materials and valued at more than $200,000. The
State of Minnesota will also hold drawings locally.
Staff is recommending that Council declare November 15 ' as America Recycles Day in
Hopkins as a way to show support for our recycling efforts relating to market
development. Ultimately if people don't buy items made from recycled material we are
collecting recycling for no reason. In order to "close the loop" just collecting the material
is not enough, we need to encourage purchase of products made from those items we
collect. If companies quit using recycled material in their products our recycling
programs will fail from lack of markets for our materials.
On September 14 this year, president Clinton signed a buy recycled executive order
in an effort to increase the use of recycled content products throughout the federal
government. It makes sense for us at the local level to follow this lead and promote
the use of recycled content products. By publicly declaring November 15 America
Recycles Day in Hopkins we can show our support for the theme; "if you're not
buying recycled, you're not really recycling ".
Staff has scheduled an event in conjunction with the Fire department open house on
October 10th. This kick -off event will consist of a booth set up with samples of items
made from recycled material and a pledge box to accept pledges from residents to be
entered into both the state and nationwide drawings.
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
PROCLAMATION
AMERICA RECYCLES DAY
Each year, Americans generate more than 208 million tons of municipal solid waste. That's more
than 4.3 pounds per person per day. While the nation has reached an overall recycling rate of over
27 percent, much more can be done, especially in closing the loop and purchasing products made
with recycled content.
WHEREAS, to focus the nation's attention on the importance of recycling and closing the
loop, businesses, industries, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals have
joined together to celebrate America Recycles Day and are encouraging their employers, staff,
customers, membership and all citizens to pledge to buy more recycled - content products starting on
November 15;
WHEREAS, participating in America Recycles Day is one way citizens can help raise
awareness about the need to reduce waste by reusing, recycling, and burying recycled products;
WHEREAS, the theme for the event is "IF YOU'RE NOT BUYING RECYCLED,
YOU'RE NOT REALLY RECYCLING ";
WHEREAS, state and community leaders need to spread the word about the excellent
programs they have established, the growth of markets for recyclables, the importance of buying
recycled products;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, that
Sunday, November 15, 1998 is hereby proclaimed as: AMERICA RECYCLES DAY IN
HOPKINS.
ATTEST:
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
Charles D. Redpenning, Mayor