Governor Steve Beshear has declared Nov. 15 as “Kentucky Recycles Day” to coincide with the national “America Recycles Day.”  The day is dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products.  Celebrating its 10th year, “America Recycles Day” has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials.

The Kentucky Recycling Interest Group (KRIG) initiated the “Kentucky Recycles Day” proclamation with the Governor’s Office.  KRIG encourages all individuals, businesses and organizations to participate in some of the following ways. 

• Take part in a planned community recycling event. 
  
• Visit www.waste.ky.gov/recycling/ to explore recycling options in your area. 
  
• Contact KPPC at 502-852-0965 to learn about industrial recycling and materials exchange resources available to businesses and industries. 
  
• Join KRIG and get the benefit of networking with peers, businesses and local governments across the state who are engaged in recycling-related activities.

Melissa Wiegand of Temple-Inland in Maysville serves on the KRIG Steering Committee and says that one of the group’s most important aspects is that it brings together recyclers and producers from different industries.  She says “Participating with KRIG has given me the opportunity to interact with various organizations and industries – providing some great ideas and cost saving projects to implement at the Maysville Mill.”

Other KRIG members agree.  Maria Eichelberger of North American Stainless (NAS) in Ghent also sits on the KRIG Steering Committee and says that the group gives her a chance to, "learn from other people’s experiences in recycling and find ways to better use waste streams."  NAS relies heavily on recycled materials – the stainless steel they produce is at least 67% scrap – showing how one business’ waste stream can become another business’ raw material.

KRIG is a public-private partnership organization whose primary goal is to reach ‘net zero’ waste output for the Commonwealth.  KRIG promotes economically-viable, safe, energy-conserving and sustainable recycling and waste management practices.  Its members include more than 100 individual citizens, city and county representatives, government agencies, universities and manufacturing companies who are actively promoting recycling in Kentucky.

For additional information related to KRIG, please contact Dara Carlisle with the Kentucky Division of Waste Management (dara.carlisle@ky.gov; 502-564-6716 ext. 4636).