Recycling Partnership Focuses on Promoting Education and Awareness
LA PLATA, Md. (Sept. 12, 2009)—The 2009 Charles County Fair will soon be in full swing—and the unofficial theme this year is “Reduce…Reuse…Recycle!” Thanks to a cooperative effort by Charles County Government, the Charles County Fair Board, Charles County Public Schools, and Coca-Cola Enterprises, the Fair will kick off a large-scale, recycling and environmental education program targeted at school-aged children.
“Environmental education has long been a priority in Charles County,” said Commissioner President Wayne Cooper. “We are pleased that this multi-faceted partnership, which engages government, education, nonprofit, and corporate partners, will further the County's efforts to provide all residents with opportunities to learn about the benefits of recycling and conserving our natural resources.”
Eighty recycling barrels, shrink-wrapped with banners displaying partner logos and encouraging recycling, will be strategically located throughout the fairgrounds for fair attendees to discard recyclable content. At the conclusion of the Fair, 12 of the barrels—provided courtesy of Coca-Cola Enterprises—will be distributed to Charles County high schools. In October, barrels also will be provided to the remaining County schools to further raise awareness about the importance of recycling during the school year. Remaining barrels will be donated to the County for ongoing use at community events.
“We are excited to be working with Charles County Government, Charles County Fair, and Coca-Cola Enterprises to educate our students and the children of Charles County about recycling and the environment. Our students are the future of Charles County, and this program will provide our children with opportunities to learn about the environment and what they can do to help conserve resources,” said James E. Richmond, Superintendent of Charles County Public Schools.
“The Fair Board is proud and excited to be part of this collaborative event. All of the partners involved have worked hard since February exchanging ideas freely to rejuvenate the recycling event at the Fair through education and new visual awareness products. What better way to reach the citizens of Charles County than at the Fair,” said Charlie Gardiner, President of the Charles County Fair Board.
A special event for the public will be held at the recycling booth at the Charles County fairgrounds on Friday, September 18, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. In addition to fun, promotional giveaways made from recycled content, there will be taste-testing using biodegradable cups, a hybrid truck display, and a gallery of sculptured artwork made from recyclable materials.
Robin Nelson, Sales Center Manager for La Plata Coca-Cola, had this to say about Coca-Cola's recycling partnership with the County Fair: "At La Plata Coca-Cola, doing right by the environment is not only good for business but also good for the communities that we serve-the very same communities that our employees call home. Protecting and enhancing our region's watersheds, conserving energy, and increasing recycling are all vital parts of how we do business in La Plata and throughout Charles County. We are so excited about the opportunity to partner with the Fair, the Charles County Public Schools and the County in making recycling easy and accessible for everyone while enjoying this annual celebration of all that makes Charles County a great place to work, live, and play."
Visit the recycling area at the Charles County Fair, which runs from Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20. For more information about the 2009 Charles County Fair, visit: www.charlescountyfair.com.
Do your part to keep our County green! For more information on the County’s recycling program, visit: www.charlescounty.org/recycling or call 301-932-3599.
Source: Charles County Commissioners