Governor Dayton proclaims Nov. 15 ‘Minnesota Recycles Day’

For release: Nov. 15, 2012

Contact: Kayla Bromelkamp, 651-757-2468

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Governor Dayton proclaims Nov. 15 ‘Minnesota Recycles Day’

St. Paul, Minn. -- Today, Thursday, Nov. 15, has been proclaimed “Minnesota Recycles Day”. This proclamation by Governor Mark Dayton is to recognize the importance of recycling to the environment and the economy in Minnesota. It is also America Recycles Day.

Every year, Minnesotans recycle enough to conserve more than 5 million trees, save enough energy to power all the homes in Ramsey County for a year, and reduce greenhouse gases equivalent to taking more than 1.3 million cars off the road.

Recycling is increasingly valuable to the economy. What was once thought to be worthless waste material now has substantial value. Making a can from recycled aluminum uses 95 percent less energy than using virgin materials.

Companies in the recycling business have been increasing over time, and these companies provide jobs and contribute to Minnesota’s economic health.

Jobs at recycling manufacturing companies numbered over 15,000 in 2011 and total job activity associated with recycling manufacturing was almost 37,000. Jobs increased at recycling manufacturers by almost 70 percent between 2004 and 2011.

Estimated total gross economic activity associated with recycling manufacturers totaled $8.5 billion. Employee wages and salary disbursements totaled almost $2 billion. State and local tax revenue paid through state income taxes (business and personal), sales tax, excise tax, and other miscellaneous taxes was approximately $270 million.

“There are almost 200 businesses in Minnesota that use recycled material to manufacture products. Recycling manufacturers like these are always looking for locally sourced material so they don’t have to import from outside of the state,” Wayne Gjerde, recycling market expert at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said.

Minnesota recycling programs collected material worth almost $700 million (as of March 2011), yet still threw away 1.2 million tons of recyclables worth $285 million and spent $200 million to dispose of it!

Here are ways you can encourage recycling and help Minnesota companies get the materials they need:
• Recycle every bottle you buy. Only 24 percent of bottles are recycled by Minnesotans. Make a commitment to recycle all of your plastic bottles even if that means carrying them home to recycle. Single-use bottles are in demand as raw material to make new things.
• Start or improve the recycling program at your work or school. The Recycle More Minnesota website has a toolkit for schools. The Rethink Recycling website has resources, too.
• Thank businesses that provide recycling. Just like people, positive comments encourage businesses to continue their behavior. If you don't see recycling options, ask for them. The more business owners hear their customers asking for recycling, the sooner they will provide it.
• Buy products made from recycled materials.

Broadcast version:

Recognizing the importance of recycling to the environment and economy in Minnesota, Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed today, November 15, “Minnesota Recycles Day.”

Every year, Minnesotans recycle enough to conserve more than five million trees, save enough energy to power all the homes in Ramsey County for a year, and reduce greenhouse gases equivalent to taking more than one point three million cars off the road.

Jobs at recycling manufacturing companies numbered over fifteen thousand in 2011 and total job activity associated with recycling manufacturing was almost thirty-seven thousand.

Almost two hundred Minnesota businesses use recycled material to manufacture products. Recycling manufacturers like these are always looking for locally sourced material so they don’t have to import from outside of the state.

Here are ways you can encourage recycling and help Minnesota companies get the materials they need:
• Recycle all of your plastic bottles even if that means carrying them home to recycle. Single-use bottles are in demand as raw material to make new things.
• Start or improve the recycling program at your work or school.
• Thank businesses that provide recycling. Just like people, positive comments encourage businesses to continue their behavior. If you don't see recycling options, ask for them. The more business owners hear their customers asking for recycling, the sooner they will provide it.
• Finally, buy products made from recycled materials.

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