National Campaign Promotes Recycled Products;Americans Who Pledge to "Buy Recycled" Can Win a...

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 1998--Americans who pledge to "Buy Recycled" can enter to win the "American Green Dream House," a $200,000 home built primarily with recycled-content products. With the support of honorary chairman Vice President Al Gore, 44 states, the District of Columbia

and two U.S. territories, a massive pledge drive is underway to solicit consumer pledges to buy products made from the items we've already recycled. Local organizers are planning 5,000 events nationwide to celebrate the campaign which culminates on the second annual America Recycles Day (Nov. 15).

The construction materials -- like steel framing and roofing made from recycled steel cans, drywall made with recycled newspapers, carpeting from recycled plastic soda bottles and windows with recycled glass -- are all being donated, along with the labor and $35,000 for land. Last year, SFC Robert Portillo of Texas was selected as the Green Dream House winner from more than 750,000 pledge entries.

"This Dream House is the perfect showcase for the top-of-the line products being manufactured from the recyclables we place at our curbside or drop-off at the recycling center. And, more important, consumers can buy these products," said National Recycling Coalition Executive Director Will Ferretti, co-chair of America Recycles Day.

Online contest entry is available via the official Web site http://www.americarecyclesday.org or by mailing a pledge, along with name, age, address and daytime telephone number to: America Recycles Day Contest, c/o Remanufacturing Industries Council International, P.O. Box 10807, Chantilly, VA 20153-0807.

Children (under age 18) are also eligible to participate in the America Recycles Day pledge drive. The first youth recycling pledge drawn will win a family vacation package to Walt Disney World, including round-trip airfare and lodging for four people courtesy of Disney and the Solid Waste Association of North America.

America Recycles Day is being organized by a public-private partnership of businesses, civic and environmental groups, associations and government agencies, including: National sponsors U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Postal Service, Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI), The 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance, The Home Depot, Remanufacturing Industries Council International, Steel Recycling Institute and Union Camp Corporation and founding organizers Environmental Defense Fund, National Recycling Coalition, Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, Recycling Coalition of Texas, Solid Waste Association of North America and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.