ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Thursday is America Recycles Day and Andrews takes stewardship and personal responsibility seriously and is proud to be part of America Recycles Day.
Celebrating its tenth year, this day is dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products.
The 316th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight will have an educational exhibit set up outside of the Base Exchange from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Environmental Flight will be providing information on the outstanding recycling program here, as well as ways to find out how a person can do more to recycle.
The Environmental Flight will have pledge forms asking people to commit to recycling, and upon completing the pledge form they will be entered into a raffle to win prizes.
Prizes include a free and discounted items from generous sponsors at the Andrews Bowling Alley, Burger King, The Courses at Andrews Golf Store and Starbucks.
Last year in President Bush's America Recycles Day Proclamation he stated, "Good stewardship of the environment is a personal responsibility and an important public value, and on America Recycles Day, we highlight the many benefits of recycling. By taking steps to reduce waste and re-use materials, we can save precious natural resources, enhance the beauty of our communities, and add to the health and prosperity of our Nation."
To learn more about America Recycles Day 2007 or to sign an online pledge, go to www.americarecyclesday.org.
Fun facts about recycling:
1. An aluminum can that is thrown away will still be a can 500 years from now!
2. More than 80 billion aluminum soda cans are used every year in the USA.
3. At one time, aluminum was more valuable than gold!
4. To produce each week's Sunday newspapers, 500,000 trees must be cut down.
5. If newspapers were recycled, more than 250 million trees can be saved each year!
6. Every month, enough glass bottles and jars are thrown out to fill up a giant skyscraper. All of these jars are recyclable!
7. A modern glass bottle would take 4,000 years or more to decompose - and even longer if it's in the landfill.
8. About one-third of an average dump is made up of packaging material!
9. Every year, each American throws out about 1,200 pounds of organic garbage that can be composted.