From press release

LOVES PARK, Ill.—Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) has announced a new recycling program for the stateline community—Recycle on the Go!.

The program is designed specifically for the collection of aluminum cans and plastic bottles at special events such as art fairs, food festivals and outdoor sporting events.

Lori Gummow, executive director of KNIB, said the organization “continually works to bring new and innovative programs to the stateline area. We saw a need for recycling at special events. Many times, there were no separate containers available to collect aluminum cans and plastic bottles and they would end up in the landfill with all the other trash. To solve this problem, we applied for and received grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Anheuser-Busch and Keep America Beautiful to purchase a vehicle, trailer and recycling containers to implement the Recycle on the Go! program.”

The Recycle on the Go! program utilizes a towable trailer to transport container systems to special events. The containers are highly visible with blue metal frames, blue plastic lids that clearly identify “plastic bottles” and “aluminum cans,” and clear or green-colored see-through plastic bags that attach to the frame. When these containers are placed near standard trash receptacles, event patrons can easily recycle their cans and plastic bottles.

Locally, there are several events with high attendance that would greatly benefit from using this program. The Chicago Rockford International Airport draws more than 100,000 people for the Airfest. In 2009, Airfest attendees threw away 800 aluminum cans and 30,000 20-ounce plastic bottles. Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days had more than 20,000 patrons purchase 20,000 20-ounce plastic beverage bottles with their brats last July. Event coordinators from both these organizations have pledged their support of this program, and look forward to utilizing it next year.

To use these containers at an event, organizations need to contact KNIB to arrange for the transport of the trailer to and from their event, as well as for the set-up of the collection bins prior to the start of the event. The organization will also be responsible for ensuring the collection bins are closely monitored and maintained throughout the event.

When the event has finished, the organization is responsible for bringing the bags of recyclables to a facility that accepts aluminum cans and plastic bottles.

By using Recycle on the Go!, organizations will help to conserve natural resources, save valuable landfill space, reduce litter and help the economy through the saving of oil, gas and energy used in the manufacturing and transport of new cans and bottles.

To reserve the Recycle on the Go! materials or for more information about this program, visit www.knib.org or contact KNIB at (815) 637-1343.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue