FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 22, 2008
New recycling partnership takes flight
COLUMBIA – The next time you fly in or out of Columbia, park your car, check in and recycle.
More than 1.2 million visitors who use the Columbia Metropolitan Airport each year now can think globally and act locally by recycling newspapers, magazines, bottles and cans, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today.
“Airports provide a perfect opportunity for recycling,” said DHEC Commissioner Earl Hunter. “With increased security, passengers spend more time in airports than ever before and with the extra time buy beverages, newspapers and magazines. We have always encouraged people to recycle at home and at work. We’re asking people to recycle on the go – at the airport.
“The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is one of the first airports in the Southeast to offer a comprehensive recycling program, particularly for its passengers,” Hunter said. “By recycling the airport will not only conserve natural resources and energy but also avoid disposal costs.”
Hunter said the unique partnership between DHEC and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport began its recycling program targeting passengers Oct. 1 by placing 28 recycling bins in high-traffic locations to make recycling convenient. The bins are located at the entrance to the airport, check-in and rental car areas as well as the gates and parking garage.
“We are pleased with this partnership opportunity between DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling and the airport to support and market our program,” said Mike Flack, executive director of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. “This signifies another step in our on-going efforts to continuously look at ways we can go green.”
Hunter said the new effort to collect recyclables is the second phase of the airport’s overall recycling program. Earlier this year, the airport began recycling cardboard from its stores and restaurants and plans to expand the program to include other commodities such as in-flight magazines and catalogues as well as cans and bottles collected by the airlines. The new program already is paying dividends. Since June 1, the airport has recycled about four tons of cardboard.
Other partners in this project are the S.C. Smart Business Recycling Program, Sonoco Recycling and Lexington County Solid Waste Management.
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For more information:
Amanda St. John: (803) 896-4234
Thom Berry: (803) 898-3885
E-mail berrytw@dhec.sc.gov
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