BA/masters.pr                         Contact: Esther Bowring, 301-217-2170



MASTER RECYCLER/COMPOSTER PROGRAM
NAMED "ENVIRONMENTAL SUCCESS  STORY   For Immediate Release: Feb.16, 1996


     The County's Master Recycler/Composter Volunteer Program has been
selected for inclusion in the Environmental Success Index, a database that
communities can use to learn about successful environmental programs.
     Operated by the Department of Transportation's Division of Solid Waste
Services, the program recruits, trains and supports citizen volunteers who
educate the public on waste reduction and recycling.  Volunteers provide
grassroots education to residents by staffing an information line, educating
students, groups and organizations, conducting workshops and demonstrations,
and staffing County waste reduction and recycling efforts.
     Since the program started in 1991, more than 600 volunteers have
completed the comprehensive training, contributed in excess of 17,000 hours of
service and have made more than 190,000 personal contacts with County
residents.
     Programs in the Environmental Success Index are screened by the National
Awards Council for Environmental Sustainability, a coalition of 60
environmental, government and business organizations.  The Master Recycler/
Composter program was selected from more than 1,600 submissions.
     The Awards Council is coordinated by Renew America, the  country's
leading source for environmental solutions.  According to Debbie Sliter, Renew
                                  -more-

MASTER RECYCLER/COMPOSTER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM                           2-2-2-2

America's executive director, "Each program has been verified by references at
the local and state levels, ensuring that each of our programs has attained a
remarkable degree of success in environmental achievement."
     Arthur Balmer,  chief of the County's Division of Solid Waste Services
credits the volunteer program with increasing the County's recycling
participation rate and improving the quality of materials collected.  "The
Master Recycler/Composter Volunteer Program's mission is to encourage
environmental stewardship through its public outreach on waste prevention,
reuse and recycling.  Volunteers augment staff capabilities to provide
residents with practical solutions to their waste-related concerns."
     The Master Recycler/Composter Volunteer Program will be conducting its
next volunteer training session in March.  For information, call 599-2818.

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