ng new. People have been dojng jt for thousands of years. And not just people: Nature has

energy, creates jobs, and helps bujld a strong economy. And jt reduces prob- lems associated wjth litter and trash. So, recycling is still thewise thing to do. Here js a brief history of recycling, showing how it has devel- oped - and how jt has become a way of life for millions of Califomjans.

Recycling is nothing new. People have been doing it for thousands

of years. And not just people: Nature has

energy, creates jobs, and helps buHd

a strong economy. And it reduces prob­

lems associated with Htter and trash.

SO, recycling is still the wise thing to do. Here is a brief history

of recycHng, showjng how it has devel­

oped - and how it has become a way

of life for millions of CaHfomians.

Recycling is nothing new. People have been doing it for thousands

of years. And not just people: Nature has

energy, creates jobs, and helps buHd

a strong economy. And it reduces prob­

lems associated with Htter and trash.

SO, recycling is still the wise thing to do. Here is a brief history

of recycHng, showjng how it has devel­

oped - and how it has become a way

of life for millions of CaHfomians.

65 million years ago As dinosaurs die off and become extinct, they are recycled info oil and gas. The process takes place as the decaying remains of dinosaurs - along with other sea animals and plants - settle on the seabed. Over time, the animals, plants, mud, and sediment will gradually com- press into sedimentary rock and change into gas and oil

of at least one mjle from the city walls

65 miHion years ago As dinosaurs die off and become extinct, they are recycled into oil and gas. The process takes place as the decaying remains of dinosaurs - along with other sea animals and plants - settle on the seabed. Over time, the animals, plants, mud, and sediment will gradually com­press into sedimentary rock and change into gas and oil

through heat and pressure. Millions of years later, they will be mined

they no longer travel from place to piace, leaving their garbage behind, they must learn how to dispose of their trash. The challenge of what to do with waste begins.

1,600 B.C. Religious, utilitarian, and social conventions play a mqjor role in establishing sanitary . practices in the ancient world. for example, the Jewish code of sanitary laws obligates individuals to be responsible for removal of their own waste.

500 B.C. Athens organizes the tirst municipal dumps in the western world. local laws dictate that waste must be olspm,eo

and refined into petroleum, plastics, and thousands of other products. (Eventually, the recycling of dinosaurs will be embodied in "spokesdinosaur" Recycle Rex, created

by the California Department of

Conservation to promote recycling;

see 1992.)

of at least one mile from the city walls.

65 miHion years ago As dinosaurs die off and become extinct, they are recycled into oil and gas. The process takes place as the decaying remains of dinosaurs - along with other sea animals and plants - settle on the seabed. Over time, the animals, plants, mud, and sediment will gradually com­press into sedimentary rock and change into gas and oil

through heat and pressure. Millions of years later, they will be mined

they no longer travel from place to piace, leaving their garbage behind, they must learn how to dispose of their trash. The challenge of what to do with waste begins.

1,600 B.C. Religious, utilitarian, and social conventions play a mqjor role in establishing sanitary . practices in the ancient world. for example, the Jewish code of sanitary laws obligates individuals to be responsible for removal of their own waste.

500 B.C. Athens organizes the tirst municipal dumps in the western world. local laws dictate that waste must be olspm,eo

and refined into petroleum, plastics, and thousands of other products. (Eventually, the recycling of dinosaurs will be embodied in "spokesdinosaur" Recycle Rex, created

by the California Department of

Conservation to promote recycling;

see 1992.)

of at least one mile from the city walls.

1031 Japan begins the first recorded use of waste paper for making new paper. All documents and paper in Japan are recycled and repulped into new paper, sold in paper shops.

ck Death epidemic reaches Europe from Asia, spawned in pact by garbage tossed onto unpaved streets and vacant spaces. The trash became a fertile environment for diseases carried by rat fleas. Infected humans typically died within 2 to 10 days. Before it is over, Black Death wjll kill hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children.

1690 The recycled paper manufacturing process is intro- duced. The Rittenhouse Mill near Philadelphia will make paper from fiber derived from recycled cotton and linen rags.

/

1776 As America declares its independence from England, rebels tum to recycling to provide material to fight the War of Independence. Silversmith Paul Revere advertises for scrap metal of all kinds. General George Washington urges the reuse of old wom chain from frigates. And publisher Benjamin Franklin uses reconstituted scrap paper in his early printing. Patriots contribute metal, paper, cloth, and other used items to the American Revolution. Among other things, iron kettles and pots are melted down for armaments. Meanwhile, paper use grows dramatically in the new states. The Massachusetts House of Representatives passes a decree requiring that all towns appoint an individual to receive rags for the mills.

I

1031 Japan begins the first recorded use of waste paper for making new paper. All documents and paper in Japan are recycled and repulped into new paper, sold in paper shops.

1348 The Black Death epidemic reaches Europe from Asia, spawned in pad by garbage tossed onto unpcped streets and vacant spaces. The trash became a fertile environment for diseases carried by rat fleas. Infected humans typically died within 2 to 10 days. Before it is over, Black Death will kill hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children.

1690 The recycled paper manufacturing process is intro­duced. The Rittenhouse Mill near Philadelphia will make paper from fiber derived from recycled cotton and linen rags.

1776 As America declares its independence from England, rebels tum to recycling ta provide material to fight the War of Independence. Silversmith Paul Revere advertises for scrap metal of all kinds. General George Washington urges the reuse of old worn chain from frigates. And publisher Benjamin Franklin uses reconstituted scrap paper in his early printing. Patriots contribute metal, paper, cloth, and other used items to the American Revolution. Among other things, iron kettles and pots are melted down for armaments. Meanwhile, paper use grows dramatically in the new states. The Massachusetts House of Representatives passes a decree requiring that all towns appoint an individual to receive rags for the mills.

1031 Japan begins the first recorded use of waste paper for making new paper. All documents and paper in Japan are recycled and repulped into new paper, sold in paper shops.

1348 The Black Death epidemic reaches Europe from Asia, spawned in pad by garbage tossed onto unpcped streets and vacant spaces. The trash became a fertile environment for diseases carried by rat fleas. Infected humans typically died within 2 to 10 days. Before it is over, Black Death will kill hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children.

1690 The recycled paper manufacturing process is intro­duced. The Rittenhouse Mill near Philadelphia will make paper from fiber derived from recycled cotton and linen rags.

1776 As America declares its independence from England, rebels tum to recycling ta provide material to fight the War of Independence. Silversmith Paul Revere advertises for scrap metal of all kinds. General George Washington urges the reuse of old worn chain from frigates. And publisher Benjamin Franklin uses reconstituted scrap paper in his early printing. Patriots contribute metal, paper, cloth, and other used items to the American Revolution. Among other things, iron kettles and pots are melted down for armaments. Meanwhile, paper use grows dramatically in the new states. The Massachusetts House of Representatives passes a decree requiring that all towns appoint an individual to receive rags for the mills.

1801 The first mill to produce paper from material other than cotton and linen rags is built in England. Matthias Koops receives the first patent for “extracting printing and writing ink from printed and wntten paper, and converting the paper from which the ink is extracted into pulp, and making thereof paper fit for writing, printing, and other purposes.” Two years later, the Koops mill declared bankruptcy and closed.

iaio Peter Durand is granted a patent by King George 111 of England for his idea of preserving food in “vessels of glass, pottery, tin, or other metals or fit materials,” launching the commercially processed food Industry.

1840s The peddler trade, among America‘s earliest entrepreneurships, begins when men with back- packs and horsedrawn carts collect and recycle anything that has resale value. These merchants, usually impovenshed immigrants to the New World, are direct ancestors of

The California Gold Rush and the Civil War create an urgent need for food that could be preserved for long periods of time and transported over great distances. Travelers heading westward to open new settlements took with them foods packed in metal cans by canners in the East. The U.S. canning business will boom from an output of five million cans in 1849 to 30 million five yeors later.

The Salvation Army is founded in London, England, and begins collecting, sorting, and recycling unwanted goods. The organization’s “Household Salvage Brigades” employ the unskilled poor to recover discarded materials. The Salvatjon Army and its resource recovery activitjes migrate to the United States in the 1890s.

1865

lW4 Cucbside recycling begins - in Balhore, Maryland. Mean- while in Nottingham, England, a new device called “the destructor” provides the first systematic incineration of municipal waste.

1801 '!'he tim mill to produce paper from material other than cotton aDd linen rags is built in England. Malfhias Koops receives the first pafent for "extracting printing and writing ink from printed and written paper, and converting the paper from which the ink is extracted into pulp, and making thereof paper fit for writing, printing, and other purposes." Two years later, the Koops mill declared bankruptcy and closed.

1810 Peter Durand is granted a patent by King George IJI of England for his idea of preserving food in "vessels of glass, pottery, tin, or other metals or fit materials," launching the commercially processed food industry.

18405 The peddler trade, among America's earliest entrepreneurships, begins when men with back­packs and horsedrawn carts collect and recycle anything that has resale value. These merchants, usually impoverished immigrants to the New World, are direct ancestors of

business families.

The California Gold Rush and the Civil War create an urgeDt need for food that could be preserved for 10Dg periods of time and transported over great distances. Travelers heading westward to open new settlements took with them foods pocked in metal cans by canners in the East. The U.S. canning business will boom from an output of five million cans in 1849 to 30 million five years later.

1865 The Salvation Anny is founded in London, England, and begins collecting, sorting, and recycling unwanted goods. The organization's "Household Salvage Brigades" employ the unskilled poor to recover discarded materials. The Salvation Army and its resource recovery activities migrate to the United States in the 1890s.

1874 Curbside recydbig begins - in BaIfimore, Maryland. Mean­while in Nottingham, England, a new device called "the destructoc" provides the first systematic incineration of municipal waste.

1801 '!'he tim mill to produce paper from material other than cotton aDd linen rags is built in England. Malfhias Koops receives the first pafent for "extracting printing and writing ink from printed and written paper, and converting the paper from which the ink is extracted into pulp, and making thereof paper fit for writing, printing, and other purposes." Two years later, the Koops mill declared bankruptcy and closed.

1810 Peter Durand is granted a patent by King George IJI of England for his idea of preserving food in "vessels of glass, pottery, tin, or other metals or fit materials," launching the commercially processed food industry.

18405 The peddler trade, among America's earliest entrepreneurships, begins when men with back­packs and horsedrawn carts collect and recycle anything that has resale value. These merchants, usually impoverished immigrants to the New World, are direct ancestors of

business families.

The California Gold Rush and the Civil War create an urgeDt need for food that could be preserved for 10Dg periods of time and transported over great distances. Travelers heading westward to open new settlements took with them foods pocked in metal cans by canners in the East. The U.S. canning business will boom from an output of five million cans in 1849 to 30 million five years later.

1865 The Salvation Anny is founded in London, England, and begins collecting, sorting, and recycling unwanted goods. The organization's "Household Salvage Brigades" employ the unskilled poor to recover discarded materials. The Salvation Army and its resource recovery activities migrate to the United States in the 1890s.

1874 Curbside recydbig begins - in BaIfimore, Maryland. Mean­while in Nottingham, England, a new device called "the destructoc" provides the first systematic incineration of municipal waste.

1892 The Sierra Club is founded in San Francisco by renowned conservationist John Muir. It is the first national environmental organization

materials.

1897 New Yodc City creates a materials recovery focilify where trash is sorted at "picking yards" and separated into various grades of paper, metals, and carpet. Burlap bags, twine, rubber, and even horsehair are also sorted for recycling or reuse.

1904 fie nation's fist aluminum can recycling plants open in Chicago and Cleveland.

1907 An article in Cosmopoliton magazine, "The Chemical House That Jack Built," extols the manner in which "even/ possible substance we use and throw away comes back as new and different material - a wonderful cycle of transfoma- tion created by scientists' skill."

Early 1900s Recyclers and reuse programs adopt the phrase 'Waste As Wealth" to describe the profits to be made from sorting and reselling items found in household trash.

1892 The Sierra Club is founded in San Francisco by renowned conservationist John Muir. It is the first national environmental organization.

1897

1895 New York City appoints Colonel George E. Waring as street-cleaning commissioner. Known as the "Apostle of Cleanliness," Waring administers the first practical. comprehensive system of refuse manage­ment in the United States. The system requires households to sort organic

wastes, paper, ashes, and street sweepings into separate containers for collection. Waring outfits the proud sweepers and drivers in smart-looking white uniforms. He even helps New York profit from source separation by reselling recovered materials.

New York City creates a materials recovery facility where trash is sorted at "picking yards" and separated into various grades of paper, metals, and carpet. Burlap bags, twine, rubber, and even horsehair are also sorted for recycling or reuse.

1904-The nation's first aluminum can recycling plants open in Chicago and Cleveland.

1907 An article in Cosmopolitan magazine, "The Chemical House That Jack Built," extols the manner in which "every possible substance we use and throwaway comes back as new and different material - a wonderful cycle of transforma­tion created by scientists' skill."

Eadv 1900s Recyclers and reuse programs adopt the phrase "Waste As Wealth" to describe the profits to be made from sorting and reselling items found in household trash.

1892 The Sierra Club is founded in San Francisco by renowned conservationist John Muir. It is the first national environmental organization.

1897

1895 New York City appoints Colonel George E. Waring as street-cleaning commissioner. Known as the "Apostle of Cleanliness," Waring administers the first practical. comprehensive system of refuse manage­ment in the United States. The system requires households to sort organic

wastes, paper, ashes, and street sweepings into separate containers for collection. Waring outfits the proud sweepers and drivers in smart-looking white uniforms. He even helps New York profit from source separation by reselling recovered materials.

New York City creates a materials recovery facility where trash is sorted at "picking yards" and separated into various grades of paper, metals, and carpet. Burlap bags, twine, rubber, and even horsehair are also sorted for recycling or reuse.

1904-The nation's first aluminum can recycling plants open in Chicago and Cleveland.

1907 An article in Cosmopolitan magazine, "The Chemical House That Jack Built," extols the manner in which "every possible substance we use and throwaway comes back as new and different material - a wonderful cycle of transforma­tion created by scientists' skill."

Eadv 1900s Recyclers and reuse programs adopt the phrase "Waste As Wealth" to describe the profits to be made from sorting and reselling items found in household trash.

1916 The Chicago cityjail initiates a unique recycling experiment as it puts prisoners to work collecting and sorting waste materials.

1916-1918 Due to shodages of raw materials during World War I, the federal govemment creates the Waste Reclamation Senice with the motto “Don’t Waste Waste - Save It.” The agency advertises extensively to encourage the public to save old rags and wastepaper. The service also advocates scientifjc management of the nation‘s water, timber, land, and minerals - early steps in the evolution of progressive programs to protect resources for future generations.

first time in Amenca, thousands of tons of old books, news- papers, and business papers are recycled by paper mills. Meanwhile, Ms. Otheman Stevens initiates an ambitious tin foil collection program in 10s Angeles and becomes the sole representative of the Red Cross Salvage Bureau.

Used paper becomes a valuable commodity and, for the

1920s Landfflliag - reclaiming wetlands with layers of garbage, ash, and dirt -is introduced and becomes a popular disposal method.

1929 The Municipal Garbage Department of Sacramento, Califomia, increases its annual revenue by selling the city‘s wastepaper to an independent paper company. The new revenue allows the collectors’ wages by 25 cents a

ent to increase garbage

193 The f i n t aluminum can for bevzrages isyanufactuced by a brewer in Newark, New Jersey. The can weighed three ounces. Sixty years later, a process called “light weighting” will reduce aluminum beverage cans to weigh just one-half ounce.

1916 The Chicago city jail initiates a unique recycling experiment as it puts prisoners to work collecting and sorting waste materials.

1916-1918 Due to shortages of raw materials during World War J, the federal government creates the Waste Reclamation Service with the motto "Don't Waste Waste - Save It" The agency advertises extensively to encourage the publlc to save old rags and wastepaper. The service also advocates scientific management of the notion's water, timber, land, and minerals - early steps in the evolution of progressive programs to protect resources for future generations.

Used paper becomes a valuable commodity and, for the first time in America, thousands of tons of old books, news­papers, and business papers are recycled by paper mills. Meanwhile, Ms. Otheman Stevens initiates an ambitious fin foil collection program in Los Angeles and becomes the sole representative of the Red Cross Salvage Bureau.

19205 Landtilling - reclaiming wetlands with layers of garbage, ash, and dirt - is introduced and becomes a popular disposal method.

1929 The Municipal Garbage Department of Sacramento, California, increases its annual revenue by selling the city's wastepaper to an independent paper company. The new revenue allows the to increase garbage collectors' wages 25 cents

1935 The first aluminum can for bev61raSlles by a brewer in Newark, New Jersey. The can weighed three ounces. Sixty years later, a process called "light weighting" will reduce aluminum beverage cans to weigh just one-half ounce.

1916 The Chicago city jail initiates a unique recycling experiment as it puts prisoners to work collecting and sorting waste materials.

1916-1918 Due to shortages of raw materials during World War J, the federal government creates the Waste Reclamation Service with the motto "Don't Waste Waste - Save It" The agency advertises extensively to encourage the publlc to save old rags and wastepaper. The service also advocates scientific management of the notion's water, timber, land, and minerals - early steps in the evolution of progressive programs to protect resources for future generations.

Used paper becomes a valuable commodity and, for the first time in America, thousands of tons of old books, news­papers, and business papers are recycled by paper mills. Meanwhile, Ms. Otheman Stevens initiates an ambitious fin foil collection program in Los Angeles and becomes the sole representative of the Red Cross Salvage Bureau.

19205 Landtilling - reclaiming wetlands with layers of garbage, ash, and dirt - is introduced and becomes a popular disposal method.

1929 The Municipal Garbage Department of Sacramento, California, increases its annual revenue by selling the city's wastepaper to an independent paper company. The new revenue allows the to increase garbage collectors' wages 25 cents

1935 The first aluminum can for bev61raSlles by a brewer in Newark, New Jersey. The can weighed three ounces. Sixty years later, a process called "light weighting" will reduce aluminum beverage cans to weigh just one-half ounce.

1939-1945 Thousands of tons of material are recycled to support U.S. and Allied troops during World War II. The War Production Board's Salvage Division is responsible for promoting nationwide recycling. More than 20,000 salvage committees, 400,000 volunteers, and millions of citizens pledge to "Get in the Scrap" to help the war effort. The salvage of tin, rubber, aluminum, and other materials is taken very seriously. Citizens contribute everything from doorknobs to girdles to help build the military machine. The rhetoric is strong: "If you have even a few pounds of scrap metal in your

home, you are aiding the Axis," asserts one wartime magazine ad. II is said that salvaging metal straps from corsets alone saved enough metal to build two warships.

The Boston General Salvage Committee helps the war effort with scrap drives -advertising the campaign on streetcars and billboards, and with informational circulars to homes. "Special Salvage Days," a children's scrap metal contest involving schools, eJ<hibits in grocery stores, and a volunteer women's group known as the "Salvage Commandos" are also used to enlist support for the program.

In a productive public-private partnership to help the government's war effort, the International Harvester Company coordinates an effort using its 10,000 dealerships nationwide to collect much of the estimated three million tons of ferrous scrap metal lying idle on American farms. In Chicago, the Herald & American newspaper enlists the aid of its 3,000 carrier boys known as the "Junior Salvage Commandos" to make personal house-to-house calls in search

1939-1945 Thousands of tons of material are recycled to support U.S. and Allied troops during World War II. The War Production Board's Salvage Division is responsible for promoting nationwide recycling. More than 20,000 salvage committees, 400,000 volunteers, and millions of citizens pledge to "Get in the Scrap" to help the war effort. The salvage of tin, rubber, aluminum, and other materials is taken very seriously. Citizens contribute everything from doorknobs to girdles to help build the military machine. The rhetoric is strong: "If you have even a few pounds of scrap metal in your

home, you are aiding the Axis," asserts one wartime magazine ad. II is said that salvaging metal straps from corsets alone saved enough metal to build two warships.

The Boston General Salvage Committee helps the war effort with scrap drives -advertising the campaign on streetcars and billboards, and with informational circulars to homes. "Special Salvage Days," a children's scrap metal contest involving schools, eJ<hibits in grocery stores, and a volunteer women's group known as the "Salvage Commandos" are also used to enlist support for the program.

In a productive public-private partnership to help the government's war effort, the International Harvester Company coordinates an effort using its 10,000 dealerships nationwide to collect much of the estimated three million tons of ferrous scrap metal lying idle on American farms. In Chicago, the Herald & American newspaper enlists the aid of its 3,000 carrier boys known as the "Junior Salvage Commandos" to make personal house-to-house calls in search

1948 Morket occeptonce of frozen orange concentrate leads to the expansion of the frozen foods industry, with associated increases in packaging.

1955 7he August 1 issue of Life magazine offers a two-page orticle on “Throwaway Living.“ With a photo of a family cheerfully tossing dozens of disposables into the air, it celebrated these products’ ability to “cut down on household chores.” Consumers are increasingly sold on the idea that single-use items are necessities of a modem lifestyle. Ease and convenience become the two most desirable qualities in product marketing. A negative side-effect: parks, forests. and highways are littered with trash.

The Amencan Society of Civil Engineers publishes o guide to londfffling, calling for compacting trash and covering it daily with a layer of soil to guard against rodents and odors. Later standards will call for new landfills to have a liner on the bottom and liquid collection systems that pump out water for treatment, and to collect methane gas, which is produced as waste decomposes.

1964 The all-aluminum can is introduced. Recognjzing the value of used aluminum cans as a ruw material for making new cans, the aluminum industry will soon begin creating a massive system for recycling and redeeming used beverage containers. U.S. collection will grow from 1.2 billion cans in 1972 to more than 62 billion cans in 1995 through curbside recycling programs and more than 10,000 recycling centers.

1965 The Solid Waste Disposal Act is passed by Congress, the first significant recognition of trash as a national issue. The primary thrust of the act is to “initiate and accelerate” a national research and development program and to assist state and local govemments with their disposal programs.

1948 Market acceptance of frozen orange concentrate leads to the expansion of the frozen foods industry, with associated increases in packaging.

1955 The August 1 issue of Life magazine offers a two-page article on "Throwaway Living." With a photo of a family cheerfully tossing dozens of disposables into the air, it celebrated these products' ability to "cut down on household chores." Consumers are increasingly sold on the idea that single-use items are necessities of a modem lifestyle. Ease and convenience become the two most desirable qualities in product marketing. A negative side-effect: parks, forests, and highways are littered with trash.

The American Society of Civil Engineers publishes a guide to landfUling, calling for compacting trash and covering it daily with a layer of soil to guard against rodents and odors. later standards will call for new landfills to have a liner on the bottom and liquid collection systems that pump out water for treatment, and to collect methane gas, which is produced as waste decomposes.

1964 The all-aluminum can is introduced. Recognizing the value of used aluminum cans as a raw material for making new cans, the aluminum industry will soon begin creating a massive system for recycling and redeeming used beverage containers. U.S. collection will grow from 1.2 billion cans in 1972 to more than 62 billion cans in 1995 through curbside recycling programs and more than 10,000 recycling centers.

1965 The Solid Waste Disposal Act is passed by Congress, the first significant recognition of trash as a national issue. The primary thrust of the act is to "initiate and accelerate" a national research and development program and to assist state and local governments with their disposal programs.

1948 Market acceptance of frozen orange concentrate leads to the expansion of the frozen foods industry, with associated increases in packaging.

1955 The August 1 issue of Life magazine offers a two-page article on "Throwaway Living." With a photo of a family cheerfully tossing dozens of disposables into the air, it celebrated these products' ability to "cut down on household chores." Consumers are increasingly sold on the idea that single-use items are necessities of a modem lifestyle. Ease and convenience become the two most desirable qualities in product marketing. A negative side-effect: parks, forests, and highways are littered with trash.

The American Society of Civil Engineers publishes a guide to landfUling, calling for compacting trash and covering it daily with a layer of soil to guard against rodents and odors. later standards will call for new landfills to have a liner on the bottom and liquid collection systems that pump out water for treatment, and to collect methane gas, which is produced as waste decomposes.

1964 The all-aluminum can is introduced. Recognizing the value of used aluminum cans as a raw material for making new cans, the aluminum industry will soon begin creating a massive system for recycling and redeeming used beverage containers. U.S. collection will grow from 1.2 billion cans in 1972 to more than 62 billion cans in 1995 through curbside recycling programs and more than 10,000 recycling centers.

1965 The Solid Waste Disposal Act is passed by Congress, the first significant recognition of trash as a national issue. The primary thrust of the act is to "initiate and accelerate" a national research and development program and to assist state and local governments with their disposal programs.

1970 The first national Eatth Day is held on April 22. The brainchild of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, it is inspired by "teach-ins" held to educate citizens about the Vietnam War. An estimated 20 million Americans celebrate at festivals and fairs throughout the U S . One focus is recycling, which begins to evolve into a mainstream movement, as recycling and litter clean-up programs spring up throughout the country. Schools, religious institutions, environmental organizations, and youth groups take the lead in these efforts.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is created as a government response to the public's growing environmental concerns, and its Ofice of Solid Waste begins examining the problems caused by generating and disposing waste. Mean- while, Congress passes the Resource Recovery Act to shift the emphasis of federal involvement from disposal to recycling, resource recovery, and the conversion of waste into energy.

1972 Oregon passes the first "bottle bill" in the US., requiring consumers to pay a deposit on bottles and cans, to be redeemed when the container is recycled.

Meanwhile, aluminum industq efforts lead to a record 53 million pounds of aluminum being recycled this year. Twenty-five years later, Americans will exceed that amount every week, with some ll9,292 cans recycled every minute nationwide.

1973 The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle is patented by chemist Nathaniel Wyeth, brother of distinguished American painter Andrew Wyeth. The bottles will soon begin replacing glass bottles for some uses. Recycling wjll begin in 1977, though it will be years before a significant number of recycling facilities accept PE7 bottles.

I1 get a boost in 1991, when Coca-Cola

1970 The tirst national Earth Day is held OD April 22. The brainchild of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, it is inspired by "teach-Ins" held to educate citizens about the Vietnam War. An estimated 20 million Americans celebrate at festivals and fairs throughoutlhe U.S. One focus is recycling, which begins to evolve into a mainstream movement, as recycling and litter clean-up programs spring up throughout the country. Schools. religious institutions, environmental organizations, and youth groups take the lead in these efforts.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is created as a government response to the public's growing environmental concerns, and its Office of Solid Waste begins examining the problems caused by generating and disposing waste. Mean­while, Congress passes the Resource Recovery Act to shift the emphasis of federal involvement from disposal to recycling, resource recovery, and the conversion of waste into energy.

1972 Oregon passes the tirst "bottle bill" in the U.S., requiring consumers to pay a deposit on bottles and cans, to be redeemed when the container is recycled.

Meanwhile, aluminum industry efforts lead to a record 53 million pounds of aluminum being recycled this year. Twenty-five years later, Americans will exceed that amount every week, with some 119,292 cans recycled every minute nationwide.

1973 The polyethylene terephthalate (pET) plastic battle is pateDted by chemist Nathaniel Wyeth, brothel' of distinguished American painter Andrew Wyeth. The bottles will soon begin replacing glass bottles for some uses. Recycling will begin in 1977, though it will be years before a significant number of recycling facilities accept PET boffles.

effo get a boost in 1991, when Coca-Cola soda bottle. PET recycling will

in 1979 to 622 In 1995.

1970 The tirst national Earth Day is held OD April 22. The brainchild of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, it is inspired by "teach-Ins" held to educate citizens about the Vietnam War. An estimated 20 million Americans celebrate at festivals and fairs throughoutlhe U.S. One focus is recycling, which begins to evolve into a mainstream movement, as recycling and litter clean-up programs spring up throughout the country. Schools. religious institutions, environmental organizations, and youth groups take the lead in these efforts.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is created as a government response to the public's growing environmental concerns, and its Office of Solid Waste begins examining the problems caused by generating and disposing waste. Mean­while, Congress passes the Resource Recovery Act to shift the emphasis of federal involvement from disposal to recycling, resource recovery, and the conversion of waste into energy.

1972 Oregon passes the tirst "bottle bill" in the U.S., requiring consumers to pay a deposit on bottles and cans, to be redeemed when the container is recycled.

Meanwhile, aluminum industry efforts lead to a record 53 million pounds of aluminum being recycled this year. Twenty-five years later, Americans will exceed that amount every week, with some 119,292 cans recycled every minute nationwide.

1973 The polyethylene terephthalate (pET) plastic battle is pateDted by chemist Nathaniel Wyeth, brothel' of distinguished American painter Andrew Wyeth. The bottles will soon begin replacing glass bottles for some uses. Recycling will begin in 1977, though it will be years before a significant number of recycling facilities accept PET boffles.

effo get a boost in 1991, when Coca-Cola soda bottle. PET recycling will

in 1979 to 622 In 1995.

1974 Dicect-mail advertising begins to take off, with more than $5 billion spent to promote credit cards, magazines, and hundreds of other products. Within 20 years, the industry will grow to more than $100 billion, with more than 70 billion pieces of mail delivered annually, about one in seven of which will be recovered for recycling.

1976 The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act is passed. Among other things, it mandates that landfills become more closely monitored. The law emphasizes recycling and conserving energy and other resources, and launches the nation‘s hazardous waste management program

1979 ”Choices for Conservation,” a report of the Federal Resource Conservation Committee, wams: “We have no cause for complacency about the rate at which we consume our natural endowment. Our materials-use practices affect environmental policy, energy consumption, waste generation, the balance of trade, and other important concems. lndividu- als, private companies, local govemment, and the federal govemment all make choices every day which affect our use and conservation of resources.“

1986 Califomia enacts the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, placing a deposit on aluminum cans and glass and plastic bottles. The program pushes the state‘s overall beverage container recycling rate to 80% by the mid 1990s, with more than 10 billion cans and bottles recycled annually. Meanwhile, Rhode Island becomes the first state to pass a mandatory recycling law for aluminum and steel (“tin’? cans, glass, plastic (PET and HDPE) bottles, and newspapers. Residents and businesses must now separate these recyclables from their trash.

1974 Direct-mail advertising begins to take off, with more than $S billion spent to promote credit cords, magazines, and hundreds of other products. Within 20 years, the industry will grow to more than $100 billion, with more than 70 billion pieces of moil delivered annually, about one in seven of which will be recovered for recycling.

1976 The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act is passed. Among other things, it mandates that landfills become more closely monitored. The low emphasizes recycling and conserving energy and other resources, and launches the nation's hazardous waste management program

1979 "Choices for Conservation," a report of the Federal Resource Conservation Committee, warns: "We have no cause for complacency about the rate at which we consume our natural endowment. Our materials-use practices affect environmental policy, energy consumption, waste generation, the balance of trade, and other important concerns. Individu­als, private companies, local government, and the federal govemment all make choices every day which affect our use and conservation of resources."

1986 California enacts the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, placing a deposit on aluminum cons and glass and plastic bottles. The program pushes the state's overall beverage container recycling rate to 80% by the mid 1990s, with more than 10 billion cons and bottles recycled annually. Meanwhile, Rhode Island becomes the first state to pass a mandatory recycling low for aluminum and steel ("tin") cans, gloss, plastic (PIT and HDPE) bottles, and newspapers. Residents and businesses must now separate these recyclables from their trash.

1974 Direct-mail advertising begins to take off, with more than $S billion spent to promote credit cords, magazines, and hundreds of other products. Within 20 years, the industry will grow to more than $100 billion, with more than 70 billion pieces of moil delivered annually, about one in seven of which will be recovered for recycling.

1976 The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act is passed. Among other things, it mandates that landfills become more closely monitored. The low emphasizes recycling and conserving energy and other resources, and launches the nation's hazardous waste management program

1979 "Choices for Conservation," a report of the Federal Resource Conservation Committee, warns: "We have no cause for complacency about the rate at which we consume our natural endowment. OUI materials-use practices affect environmental policy, energy consumption, waste generation, the balance of trade, and other important concerns. Individu­als, private companies, local government, and the federal govemment all make choices every day which affect our use and conservation of resources."

1986 California enacts the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, placing a deposit on aluminum cons and glass and plastic bottles. The program pushes the state's overall beverage container recycling rate to 80% by the mid 1990s, with more than 10 billion cons and bottles recycled annually. Meanwhile, Rhode Island becomes the first state to pass a mandatory recycling low for aluminum and steel ("tin") cans, gloss, plastic (PIT and HDPE) bottles, and newspapers. Residents and businesses must now separate these cecyclables from their trash.

1987 The Mobro, a barge carrying garbage from New Yo&, tries unsuccessfully to get rid of its load in six states and three other countries. The barge travels 6,000 miles for six months before it is finally allowed to dump its load, consisting primarily of paper, back in New York. The event is wjdely publicized and bnngs new interest in recycling as an altemative to landfilling. In an unrelated incident a year later, hypodermic needles and other medical waste wash up onto East Coast beaches. The media begins referring to the sjtuahons collectively as a “solid

1988 Govemment purchasing policies and technological breakthroughs advance paper recycling. Caljfomia state govemment allows a price preference for paper with at least 50% recycled and 10% postconsumer content. By the early ’90s, all 50 states adopted legislation or executive orders favoring recycled paper. In 1993 President Cljnton orders federal agencies to buy paper with at least 20% postconsumer content.

1989 Arizona archaeologist William Rathje begins the Garbage Project in which he leads students in “mining” local landfills to leam about modem cjvjljzation. Among their findings: Trash doesn‘t break down in landfills. Students unearth decades-old newspapers that are intact, and bananas that are still yellow.

1987 The Mobro, a barge carrying garbage from New York, tries unsuccessfully to get rid of its load in six states and three other countries. The barge travels 6,000 miles for six months before it is finally allowed to dump its load, conSisting primarily of paper, back in New York. The event is widely publicized and brings new interest in recycling as an alternative to landfilling. In an unrelated incident a year later, hypodennic needles and other medical waste wash up onto East Coast beaches. The media begins referring to the situations collectively as a "solid waste crisis."

1988 Government purchasing policies and technological breakthroughs advance paper recycling. California state government allows a price preference for paper with at least 50% recycled and 10% postconsumer content. By the early '90s, all 50 states adopted legislation or executive orders favoring recycled paper. In 1993 President Clinton orders federal agencies to buy paper with at least 20% postconsumer content.

1989 Arizona archaeologist William Rathje begins the Garbage Project in which he leads students in "mining" local landfills to learn about modem civilization. Among their findings: Trash doesn't break down in landfills. Students unearth decades-old newspapers that are intact, and bananas that are still yellow.

1987 The Mobro, a barge carrying garbage from New York, tries unsuccessfully to get rid of its load in six states and three other countries. The barge travels 6,000 miles for six months before it is finally allowed to dump its load, conSisting primarily of paper, back in New York. The event is widely publicized and brings new interest in recycling as an alternative to landfilling. In an unrelated incident a year later, hypodennic needles and other medical waste wash up onto East Coast beaches. The media begins referring to the situations collectively as a "solid waste crisis."

1988 Government purchasing policies and technological breakthroughs advance paper recycling. California state government allows a price preference for paper with at least 50% recycled and 10% postconsumer content. By the early '90s, all 50 states adopted legislation or executive orders favoring recycled paper. In 1993 President Clinton orders federal agencies to buy paper with at least 20% postconsumer content.

1989 Arizona archaeologist William Rathje begins the Garbage Project in which he leads students in "mining" local landfills to learn about modem civilization. Among their findings: Trash doesn't break down in landfills. Students unearth decades-old newspapers that are intact, and bananas that are still yellow.

!

conservation efforts. Collection of recyclables is so prolific that the challenge

becomes findjng markets for the materials being collected. A new emphasis is placed on “closing the loop” - buying products made from recycled material.

Califomia state govemment mandates municipalities to reduce their waste stream by 25% by the year 1995 and 50% by the year 2000. The California Integrated Waste Manage- ment Board is established (by Assembly Bill 939 in 1989) to administer the program.

Coalition, Environmental Media Association, and other prominent environmental organizations, along with state govemment agencies in Califomia, Washington, and else- where, begin promoting buying recycled-content products as key to the continued success of recycling in the U.S.

The Environmental Defense Fund, National Recycling

1991 7he National Football League teams up with the California Department of Conservation, the city of Pasadena, and the Rose Bowl to implement the first comprehensive recycling program at Super Bowl XXVII.

Califomia observes its first Recycle Week in mid-April. Meanwhile, Califomia Govemor George Deuhejian intro- duces a litter prevention campaign targeting the youthful htterbug. The ad line: ‘Leam to hold it until you get to the can. Don’t litter.”

1990 The 20th anniversary of Earth Day marks a pinnacle of the modem environ­mental movement as millions of citizens worldwide participate in environmental events. Public opinion polls show environmental protection as a top concern. 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth, The Green Consumer, and other bestsellers join with network TV specials and magazine cover stories to bring a renewed focus on recycling and other conservation efforts.

Collection of recyclab\es is so prolific that the challenge becomes finding markets for the materials being collected. A new emphasis is placed on "closing the loop" - buying products made from recycled material.

California state government mandates municipalities to reduce their waste stream by 25% by the year 1995 and 50% by the year 2000. The California lntegrated Waste Manage­ment Board is established (by Assembly Bill 939 in 1989) to administer the program.

The Environmental Defense Fund, National Recycling Coalition, Environmental Media Association, and other prominent environmental organizations, along with state government agencies in California, Washington, and else­where, begin promoting buying recycled-content products as key to the continued success of recycling in the U.S.

1991 The National Football League teams up with the Califonda Department of Conservation, the city of Pasadena, and the Rose Bowl to implement the first comprehensive recycling program at Super Bowl XXVII.

California observes its first Recycle Week in mid-April. Meanwhile, California Governor George Deukmejian intro­duces a litter prevention campaign targeting the youthful litterbug. The ad line: "Learn to hold it until you get to the can. Don't litter."

1990 The 20th anniversary of Earth Day marks a pinnacle of the modem environ­mental movement as millions of citizens worldwide participate in environmental events. Public opinion polls show environmental protection as a top concern. 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth, The Green Consumer, and other bestsellers join with network TV specials and magazine cover stories to bring a renewed focus on recycling and other conservation efforts.

Collection of recyclab\es is so prolific that the challenge becomes finding markets for the materials being collected. A new emphasis is placed on "closing the loop" - buying products made from recycled material.

California state government mandates municipalities to reduce their waste stream by 25% by the year 1995 and 50% by the year 2000. The California lntegrated Waste Manage­ment Board is established (by Assembly Bill 939 in 1989) to administer the program.

The Environmental Defense Fund, National Recycling Coalition, Environmental Media Association, and other prominent environmental organizations, along with state government agencies in California, Washington, and else­where, begin promoting buying recycled-content products as key to the continued success of recycling in the U.S.

1991 The National Football League teams up with the Califonda Department of Conservation, the city of Pasadena, and the Rose Bowl to implement the first comprehensive recycling program at Super Bowl XXVII.

California observes its first Recycle Week in mid-April. Meanwhile, California Governor George Deukmejian intro­duces a litter prevention campaign targeting the youthful litterbug. The ad line: "Learn to hold it until you get to the can. Don't litter."

__

-

.

1993

1992 Recycle Rex. California's spokesdinosaur for recycling and conservation,

~ is created through

e", a parlnership ~~ between The Walt

Re'l1l'" e Disney Company .,. and the Califomia

Department of Conservation. McDonald's sponsors the distribution of the "Recycle Relt

classroom video in English

and Spanish - to the state's 6,000

public and private elementary schools .

. Television public service announcements

introduce the popular character to all residents.

The first Earth Day ConservatioD :Fair at State Capitol Park in Sacramen10 educates and entertains more than 5,000 kids and adults. Conservation fair '97, with 120 exhibits, live music, and celebrities, attracts SO,OOo-plus attendees and is heralded as the largest event of its kind in the country.

1995 Amedcons recycle a record 47.5 billion soft drink con1ainers, an increase of 500 million over the previous year. Aluminum cans are recycled ata rate of 63% in the U.S. and 80% in Califomia. There are more than 10,000 recycling centers natianwide and at least 4,000 curbside collection programs. There are more than 400 recycled papers in all grades.

Evidence grows that recycling helps create jobs. For example, the city of Son Jose estimates it could create 775 jobs by recycling 624,600 tons of material. A study by the California Integrated Waste Management Boord calculates that diverting 50% of the state's waste stream from landfills could create 40,000 new jobs by the year 2000. The California Department of Conservation publishes Good, Green Jobs, documenting how companies are creating economic growth through recycling and other environmental initiatives.

Californians achieve a milestone by diverting 25% of their waste, meeting the requirements of state law. The California Integrated Waste Management Board intensifies its efforts to help communities, businesses, and families to reduce, reuse, and rec.ycle even more in order to reach the historic 50% reduction by 2000.

1993

1992 Recycle Rex. California's spokesdinosaur for recycling and conservation,

~ is created through

e", a parlnership ~~ between The Walt

Re'l1l'" e Disney Company .,. and the Califomia

Department of Conservation. McDonald's sponsors the distribution of the "Recycle Relt

classroom video in English

and Spanish - to the state's 6,000

public and private elementary schools .

. Television public service announcements

introduce the popular character to all residents.

The first Earth Day ConservatioD :Fair at State Capitol Park in Sacramen10 educates and entertains more than 5,000 kids and adults. Conservation fair '97, with 120 exhibits, live music, and celebrities, attracts SO,OOo-plus attendees and is heralded as the largest event of its kind in the country.

1995 Amedcons recycle a record 47.5 billion soft drink con1ainers, an increase of 500 million over the previous year. Aluminum cans are recycled ata rate of 63% in the U.S. and 80% in Califomia. There are more than 10,000 recycling centers natianwide and at least 4,000 curbside collection programs. There are more than 400 recycled papers in all grades.

Evidence grows that recycling helps create jobs. For example, the city of Son Jose estimates it could create 775 jobs by recycling 624,600 tons of material. A study by the California Integrated Waste Management Boord calculates that diverting 50% of the state's waste stream from landfills could create 40,000 new jobs by the year 2000. The California Department of Conservation publishes Good, Green Jobs, documenting how companies are creating economic growth through recycling and other environmental initiatives.

Californians achieve a milestone by diverting 25% of their waste, meeting the requirements of state law. The California Integrated Waste Management Board intensifies its efforts to help communities, businesses, and families to reduce, reuse, and rec.ycle even more in order to reach the historic 50% reduction by 2000.

Today . .. and Tomorrow Recycling has come of age in CalifoOlia - and throughout the u.s. - with more than a quarter of all household waste being diverted from landfills and incinerators. Among other things, Californians recycle nearly 10 billion glass and plastic bottles and aluminum cans every year - nearly one a day for every state resident.

And the future looks bright. Throughout California, recycling programs continue to grow in compa­nies, communities, households, schools and other institutions. Public opinion pools show that Americans in general overwhelmingly support recycling programs and believe they are an important part of our everyday efforts to conserve resources and protect the environment.

California's recycling agencies

The CalifoOlia Depadment of Conservation administers the state's Beverage Container Recycling and litter Reduction Act. This recycling program is

funded through redemption payments made by beverage distributors on every eligible beverage container sold in the state. Revenues from these payments are used to pay consumers who redeem their California Redemption Value (CRV) beverage containers at certified recycling centers and to fund various recycling programs.

The purpose of the program is to foster recycling of the state's aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal beverage containers in an environmentally sound and economically viable manner.

The Department also provides public information on recycling - from where to find certified recycling centers to how to join the RecyCool Club. CallI-BOO-RECYCLE for Information.

The CalifoOlia Integrated Waste Management Board is the state agency responsible for promoting recycling of cornmodities other than cans and bottles, as well as ensuring that the state's landfills and other waste facilities operate in compliance with all federal and state environmental and health and safety laws. The six-member Board assists developing markets for recyc1ables through a variety of measures, including its Recycling Market Development Zone loon program, reviews plans submitted by cities and counties for reaching 50% waste diversion, and provides information and assistance to governments, businesses and individual Californions on ways they can recycle and buy recycled products.

The IWMB also is responsible for specialized waste prevention programs, such as certifying locations for consum­ers to drop off used motor oil for recycling and tire recycling efforts. For more information on IWMB programs, to find the used oil recycling center closest to you, or to order a publication, call the new CallEPA hotline at l-BOO-ClEANUP.

Today . .. and Tomorrow Recycling has come of age in CalifoOlia - and throughout the u.s. - with more than a quarter of all household waste being diverted from landfills and incinerators. Among other things, Californians recycle nearly 10 billion glass and plastic bottles and aluminum cans every year - nearly one a day for every state resident.

And the future looks bright. Throughout California, recycling programs continue to grow in compa­nies, communities, households, schools and other institutions. Public opinion pools show that Americans in general overwhelmingly support recycling programs and believe they are an important part of our everyday efforts to conserve resources and protect the environment.

California's recycling agencies

The CalifoOlia Depadment of Conservation administers the state's Beverage Container Recycling and litter Reduction Act. This recycling program is

funded through redemption payments made by beverage distributors on every eligible beverage container sold in the state. Revenues from these payments are used to pay consumers who redeem their California Redemption Value (CRV) beverage containers at certified recycling centers and to fund various recycling programs.

The purpose of the program is to foster recycling of the state's aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal beverage containers in an environmentally sound and economically viable manner.

The Department also provides public information on recycling - from where to find certified recycling centers to how to join the RecyCool Club. CallI-BOO-RECYCLE for Information.

The CalifoOlia Integrated Waste Management Board is the state agency responsible for promoting recycling of cornmodities other than cans and bottles, as well as ensuring that the state's landfills and other waste facilities operate in compliance with all federal and state environmental and health and safety laws. The six-member Board assists developing markets for recyc1ables through a variety of measures, including its Recycling Market Development Zone loon program, reviews plans submitted by cities and counties for reaching 50% waste diversion, and provides information and assistance to governments, businesses and individual Californions on ways they can recycle and buy recycled products.

The IWMB also is responsible for specialized waste prevention programs, such as certifying locations for consum­ers to drop off used motor oil for recycling and tire recycling efforts. For more information on IWMB programs, to find the used oil recycling center closest to you, or to order a publication, call the new CallEPA hotline at l-BOO-ClEANUP.