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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: May 2, 2008
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 or
Sarah Kite, RIRRC 942-1430 ext. 112

DEM and RIRRC'S GREEN ZONE TO BOOST BUSINESSES RECYCLING
New Program and Web Site Provide Free Solutions

PROVIDENCE, RI (May 2, 2008) - The Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation are launching a new free program for businesses wanting to increase recycling and reduce waste. Called the Green Zone, this cooperative effort between the two agencies aims to help businesses better understand local recycling laws and regulations, increase recyclables collected in the workplace, and reduce waste destined for burial in the Central Landfill. Rhode Island businesses generate approximately 60 percent of the waste buried in the Central Landfill, or 660,000 tons per year.

RIRRC and DEM will be exhibitors at the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo on May 6-7 at the RI Convention Center. Experts from each organization will be on hand providing attendees with information about Green Zone services.

"The Business Expo is the perfect opportunity for us to kick-off the Green Zone, a collaborative effort with Resource Recovery," said W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D. Director of DEM. "Providing Rhode Island's business community with a one-stop resource for business recycling solutions is a key component to help improve Rhode Island's commercial recycling rates."

All businesses are required to recycle. To help businesses comply with the law, the agencies have developed a Web site (www.GreenZoneRI.org) showcasing workplace recycling solutions.

Green Zone team members will help businesses determine what kinds of waste they generate, educate them about which materials can be recycled, design a custom recycling program, and advise on how to reduce trash hauling fees.

"Fortunately, adding recycling to workplaces, large and small, is pretty inexpensive and fairly easy," said Mike OConnell, executive director of RIRRC. "If they don't, the long-term consequences of siting landfills and incinerators, or shipping waste out of state will be expensive and difficult. I urge all businesses to explore their options with Green Zone experts. The economic, societal and marketing advantages of increased pro-environment efforts will result in measurable benefits to RI businesses."

For information, contact Green Zone team members Alyson Silva, commercial recycling coordinator at DEM (222-4700 x7134, alyson.silva@dem.ri.gov) or David Bordieri, waste prevention coordinator at RIRRC (942-1430 x110, david@rirrc.org).

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