America Recycles Day Expo in City Hall
What: America Recycles Day Expo
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13
Where: City Hall Rotunda, 1200 Market Street
Cost: Free of charge, open to the public
Join us for an annual celebration of America Recycles Day! As
our City rebuilds sustainably, see how the three Rs (reduce,
reuse, and recycle) meet the three Ps (planet, prosperity, and
people). Simultaneously, we can protect our environment, support
economic stability, and foster community development. It’s as
simple as reducing, reusing, and recycling with locally owned
and operated businesses and organizations. Visit this Expo to
meet people, products, and services available to help you play
your part in this grand new world.
First, the most important thing we can do is reduce the amount
of waste we generate. Missouri Department of Conservation - Grow
Native! (www.grownative.org) will share information about how
to landscape and garden with plants that are native to Missouri
as a way to reduce use of lawn and garden chemicals. Metropolitan
St. Louis Sewer District (www.stlmsd.com) will also offer information
on how to reduce household hazardous waste, particularly to prevent
it from getting into our waterways. Visit with Operation Food
Search (www.ofsearch.org) to learn about how we can help fight
hunger by ensuring that no food goes to waste.
Second, the next most important thing we can do is reuse items
over and over again. The City of St. Louis Animal Care and Control
(http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/health/arc/adoptapet.html)
will be there to remind us of the many companion animals in need
of caring homes. When visiting the Expo, feel free to bring them
donations of the following used items: sheets, towels, blankets,
stuffed animals, pet toys, small-lipped container lids (e.g.,
butter, cottage cheese, yogurt) for feeding kittens and puppies,
newspaper and shredded paper (for bedding and litter), pet carriers,
litterboxes, collars, and leashes. Additionally, The Upcycle
Exchange (http://lucoop.com/pilot) will give hands-on demonstrations
of creative ideas for reusing (aka repurposing or upcycling).
Third, the last most important thing we can do is recycle our
resources as many times as possible. A number of area companies
collect and process recyclables, including aluminum, books, cardboard,
glass, electronics, organics (e.g., food, grass, leaves, etc.),
paper, plastics, steel, and textiles. To learn more about the
services these businesses provide, and just what it is that they
do with those recyclables, check out e-cycle St. Louis (www.ecyclestlouis.org),
Earth Circle Recycling (www.earthcirclerecycling.com), Remains,
Inc. (Phone 314.865.0303, Fax 314.865.0549), Smurfit-Stone Recycling
Division (www.smurfit.com:8080/content/Products/Recycling), Strategic
Materials (www.strategicmaterials.com), Central Paper Stock (www.paperrecycler.com),
EPC (www.epcusa.com), St. Louis Composting (www.stlcompost.com),
and QRS Recycling (www.qrsrecycling.com). When possible, some
of these companies try to divert items for reuse, if they have
not reached the end of their useful life.
Buying products made with reused- or recycled-content is a vital
part to closing the recycling loop. Recyclables are collected
and processed. Then, they’re made into new items. Then, you buy
those recycled products. Retailers will be exhibiting to let
you know about locally available reused- and recycled-content
products, including arts and crafts supplies, building and construction
materials (e.g., doors, fixtures, flooring, insulation, windows),
clothing and accessories, home décor and housewares (e.g.,
dishes, frames), office supplies, paper, sporting goods, and
toys. To see and hear more, visit with Arch Paper (www.archpaper.net),
EarthWays Center (www.earthwayscenter.org), Habitat For Humanity
- Saint Louis' ReStore (www.habitatstl.org/restore), Home Eco
(www.home-eco.com), Rebounces (www.rebounces.com), Energy Conservation
Products (Phone/Fax 636.937.6596), Pedro’s Planet, Inc. (www.pedrosplanet.com),
and St. Louis Teachers' Recycle Center, Inc. (www.stlouisteachersrecycle.homestead.com).
Some of these exhibitors not only sell, but also accept materials
to be reused.
Bring a book to give, take a book to read. Come to this year’s
Expo and participate in a book swap! Feel free to bring your
books the day of the event, and browse for others that might
interest you. If you'd like to donate prior to the day of this
Expo, please drop off books at the City of St. Louis Refuse Division,
4100 South First Street (2nd Floor) between the hours of 8 a.m.
and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
On our website at
http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/recycle/ARD%202009.html,
stay tuned for details about how you might win a prize by pledging
to recycle, download flyers or posters to promote this event
in your office or building, or watch for other Expo updates.
