Congratulations to Two Virginia America Recycles Day Winners

Seven organizations that held extraordinary community recycling events have been named winners of the second national America Recycles Day, Inc. award contest. Included are two Virginia groups, Fairfax County and the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA).

Fairfax County took top honors and will be awarded $7,500 for their "Fall for Fairfax" event which included the launch of a new marketing campaign for their recycling program, a community recycling road show and extensive media coverage. Accepting the first place award, Ms. Meredith Eisenberg, Public Outreach Manager for Fairfax County said, "ARD provided a rallying point to get our community excited about recycling. We are thrilled to have won the award."

Awarded one of five second-place honors, CVWMA will receive $2,500. CVWMA sponsored a second-annual recycling festival in partnership with the Science Museum of Virginia and held tours of a local recycling facility operated by Tidewater Fibre Corporation. To showcase the results of local recycling programs, the agency also awarded prizes made of recycled materials to local residents. CVWMA is a public service authority that coordinates recycling programs for thirteen local governments around the Richmond and Petersburg metropolitan areas.

Over 850 events were held throughout the nation in celebration of America Recycles Day, November 15th. Twenty-eight organizations entered the America Recycles Day, Inc. contest hoping to share in the $25,000 award sponsored by the Recycle America Alliance, Inc.

Richard Abramowitz, America Recycles Day board member and regional manager for the Recycle America Alliance said, "We've noticed a significant increase in recycling events this year and are proud to be a sponsor of America Recycles Day and this award contest. We're pleased to be able to recognize organizations that went the extra mile for recycling and America Recycles Day."

Entries were judged on the originality and creativity of the event; amount of local participation, recognition and success created, and the ability of the event to replicated.

For more information about America Recycles Day and the awards, please visit www.americarecyclesday.org.