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Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone: (843) 958.4012

Email:   jdavis@charlestoncounty.org

Release Number: 2992

Date: March 26, 2009

See picture from a previous race of what NOT to throw in the recycling bin: ­­­­ http://www.charlestoncounty.org/newsimages/recyclingbin.htm

Participants Asked to Recycle at Cooper River Bridge Run

Volunteers needed as participants are asked to make a difference at the starting and finishing lines on Saturday, April 4

The Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Department is asking all Cooper River Bridge Run participants to recycle their water bottles and other drink bottles and cans on the day of the race. The department will provide recycling support at the Cooper River Bridge Run’s finish line, and, for the first time, at the starting line festivities on Saturday, April 4.

Approximately 150 volunteers will be involved in the recycling and clean-up effort. To volunteer, contact Theresa Martin at (843) 720-7111.

Race organizers and the Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Department are asking bridge run participants to be particularly mindful about not throwing any trash or recyclables on the ground before, during and after the race.

“We want to encourage everyone to recycle on race day and we are excited to have recycling available during this event,” said Gregg Varner, Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Department Director. “We also want to remind everyone to not throw fruit peels and other trash in the recycling bins.”

Approximately 45 recycling bins, which will be provided by Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Department and the city of Charleston’s Keep Charleston Beautiful program, will be placed in Marion Square so participants can recycle their plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans. In addition, approximately 15 recycling bins will be placed along the starting line at the three separate water station locations.

For the first time, volunteers will be at the starting line assisting runners with where to place their recyclables. They will also help by picking any recyclables up off the ground once the race begins. The starting line volunteer efforts will be led by the East Cooper Regional Medical Center’s Green Team and the Whole Foods Green Mission Team, with special thanks to the town of Mount Pleasant.

At the finish line, recycling volunteers will be stationed at recycling bins and trash cans located together throughout the square. They will direct people to throw their items in the correct container. Volunteers will also walk around Marion Square to pick up recyclables off the ground.

Three large recycling drop site containers for plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans, and two large containers for corrugated cardboard, will also be located in Marion Square.

Two large containers for corrugated cardboard will be available during the Cooper River Bridge Run Expo at the Gaillard Auditorium. Charleston County Recycling and Lowcountry EarthForce staff will be at the expo to talk about the recycling efforts at the race.

The finish line recycling effort is made possible by the following:

• Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Department

• Keep Charleston Beautiful

• Alzheimer’s Association

• Lowcountry EarthForce

• Special thanks to the Sustainability Institute; Charleston County’s Neighborhood Recycling Program sign volunteers; Lowcountry Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); Charleston Green Committee (city of Charleston); city of Charleston Department of Parks; the College of Charleston; Charleston School of Law; the I’On Community; and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).

SIDEBAR

Amounts of recyclables collected at past Cooper River Bridge Run events:

• 2008: 6,240 pounds of cardboard and 2,160 pounds of plastic bottles

• 2007: 6,590 pounds of cardboard and 2,065 pounds of plastic bottles

• 2006: 6,995 pounds of cardboard and 2,060 pounds of plastic bottles

• 2005: 4,560 pounds of cardboard and 2,420 pounds of plastic bottles

• 2004: 4,820 pounds of cardboard and 4,860 pounds of plastic bottles

• 2003: 5,300 pounds of cardboard and 4,620 pounds of plastic bottles 

Visit the Charleston County Web site at www.charlestoncounty.org for news, services and up-to-date information relating to Charleston County Government.