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SACRAMENTO – The
Department of Conservation (DOC) is
teaming up with the Los Angeles
Conservation Corps (LACC) to score
points for the environment during the
January 4 Rose Bowl. When the University
of Southern California and Texas face
off for the national championship in
Pasadena, spectators at the stadium and
fans at home alike are urged to recycle
the bottles and cans emptied during game
festivities.
“During big football
weekends, when Californians are enjoying
their favorite beverages as they watch
the games, it’s important to remember
that bottles and cans deserve a chance
to get back in the game,” DOC Director
Bridgett Luther said. “With a new year
upon us, let’s all renew our commitment
to recycle every bottle or can we
empty.”
During the game the
LACC will gather aluminum, glass and
plastic beverage containers emptied by
fans at pre-game tailgate parties, while
(weather permitting) the DOC will hand
out recycling information and exhibit
products made from recycled content.
This is the fourth consecutive year that
the LACC and DOC have partnered to
encourage recycling at the Rose Bowl.
Fans at home can participate in the
day’s recycling efforts as well by
making sure to deposit their empty
containers into recycling bins.
“Californians save
energy, natural resources and landfill
space when they recycle,” Luther said.
“If they take their California Refund
Value bottles and cans to a recycling
center, they can redeem them for cash.”
During the past three
Rose Bowls combined, the LACC collected
approximately 94,000 aluminum cans,
60,000 plastic bottles and 27,000 glass
bottles. The DOC estimates that
Californians will put roughly 33 million
containers of beer, soda, water and
other refreshments into recycling bins
during Rose Bowl weekend, but more than
22 million bottles and cans, worth about
$1 million in CRV, are likely to be
thrown away.
In addition to cash,
these trashed beverage containers
represent a substantial loss in
resources. For example, the 60,000
plastic bottles recycled by the LACC
during the past three Rose Bowls would
provide enough fiber to make 3,750 USC
and Texas T-shirts. Each aluminum can
recycled saves enough energy to run a
television for nearly three hours,
roughly the time it takes to watch the
Rose Bowl. And glass can be recycled
again many times over into new glass,
saving energy and raw materials each
time.
The DOC also has
recycling tips for fans watching at
home: Set out a clearly marked box or
bag for bottles and cans and put it near
the trashcan or where it is accessible
for game-day revelers. When this
receptacle is full, empty it into your
curbside recycling bin or take the
contents to a recycling center for
redemption. A fun way to get kids in the
habit of recycling is to put them in
charge of recycling duties and let them
keep the redemption money when the
containers are turned in.
Consumers can find
their nearest recycling center by
calling 1-800-RECYCLE or visiting
www.bottlesandcans.com and using the
recycling center locater by zip code.
Most beverages in aluminum, glass and
plastic containers are subject to CRV,
including water, soda, beer, sports
drinks, coffee and tea drinks, fruit
juice in containers 46 ounces or smaller
and vegetable juice in containers 16
ounces or smaller.
In addition to
promoting beverage container recycling,
the Department of Conservation maps and
studies earthquakes and other geologic
phenomena, classifies areas containing
mineral deposits; ensures reclamation of
land used for mining; regulates oil, gas
and geothermal wells; and administers
agricultural and open-space land
conservation programs.
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