Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 15, 1999

99-240

Contact: Caitlin Cormier, public information officer, (360) 407-6149

America Recycles Day celebrated with debut of children's art calendar

OLYMPIA - An America Recycles Day calendar featuring the artwork of 14 Washington state students was unveiled during an event at the state capitol in Olympia today.

Two hundred fifty-four students entered the contest, which is one of several events being held in the state in honor of the national America Recycles Day, held on Nov. 15 each year.

The calendar was unveiled in the State Reception Room at the capitol building in Olympia. The event was attended by the young artists, their families, legislators, and representatives of the state Department of Ecology, Waste Management, Inc., the Washington State Recycling Association, Seattle Public Utilities, and other members of the recycling industry, local governments and business.

"It's wonderful to see kids and creative talent combined to help the environment," said Cullen Stephenson, manager of Ecology's solid-waste program. "Ecology is always trying to get the message out about recycling and buying products made from recycled materials. All of the children who entered the contest have assisted in this mission."

The contest was open to children in kindergarten through grade eight. Students whose recycling art will be featured in the calendar are:

Sophie Baird-Daniel, View Ridge Elementary School, Seattle Public Schools.
Cameron Bartok, Soundview Private School, Lynnwood.
RoseAnn Cabrito, South Shore Middle School, Seattle Public Schools.
Joanna Chen, Adams Elementary School, Seattle Public Schools.
Nicole Garrett, Fall City Elementary School, Snoqualmie Valley District.
Cierra Jade Gonzales, South Shore Middle School, Seattle Public Schools.
Lindsay Hilliard, Hamilton Elementary School, Port Angeles District.
Collin Johnson, Neah Bay Elementary School in Sekiu.
Melkorka Licea, Adams Elementary School, Seattle Public Schools.
Suzanna Pratt, Soundview Private School, Lynnwood.
Brittney Sargent, Ridgeview Elementary School, Spokane District.
Allison Sparagno, Ocean Shores Elementary School, North Beach District.
Hannah Von Lossow, View Ridge Elementary School, Seattle Public Schools.
Katherine White, St.Louise Parish School in Bellevue.

America Recycles Day is a unique public/private partnership of environmental agencies, businesses, the recycling industry and government. The focus is on urging Americans to recycle, buy more products made from recycled materials, and be aware of the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling. To this end, Americans are asked to pledge to buy recycled products, with prizes as the incentive to signing the pledge card.

"The survival of recycling depends on supply and demand," said Stephenson. "Buying more recycled products at home and in the workplace is what will keep recycling working. We want to make buying recycled products as natural as tossing a can into a recycling bin has become."