Houston Once Again a Leader in "Recycles Day" Activities

The Citizens' Environmental Coalition is joining forces with two of the biggest names in Houston when it comes to recycling to help support Texas Recycles Day, with two downtown events on Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15.

Founded in 1994, Texas Recycles Day was created by Clean Industries 2000, a corporate voluntary waste-reduction group, to encourage Texans either to begin recycling or to step up efforts that were already underway.

With the help of the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department and the Houston Corporate Recycling Council - not to mention a host of corporate, non-profit and government partners - our city has for the past two years been a leader across the state in celebrating Texas Recycles Day. Last year's fair drew some 8,000 people downtown, and the city's efforts have become a model for similar activities nationwide. In fact, at least 17 other states have adopted the "Recycles Day" concept to bring about America Recycles Day this year.

The 1997 Recycles Day theme is "Keeping Recycling Working: Buy Recycled," and both the Friday and Saturday activities will be supporting this message. Friday's Texas Recycles Day Fair is once again being spearheaded by the Recycling Division of the Solid Waste Management Department. With the backing of a diverse steering committee, this year's fair promises to be even bigger and better than last year's. Featured will be more than 50 environmental groups, businesses and government agencies educating the public - and each other - about recycled products. At noon on the steps of City Hall, Texas Recycles Day will be officially recognized with a special ceremony led by state and local office-holders and special guests. For more information, to become a steering committee member, or to sign up for booth space, contact Gary Readore at (713) 868-8369.

Saturday's Texas Recycles Day "Envir-Olympics" and "Tunnel of Fun" are the brainchild of the Houston Corporate Recycling Council, which felt it could add a complementary family-oriented element to the City's fair. Taking place throughout the downtown tunnel system and the surrounding area, the day will include a 5K walk, educational booths, recycling-oriented activities for children, and awards presentation and the EnvirOlympics, where contestants will make their way through a mental and physical obstacle course centered around recycling. For more information about the "Tunnel of Fun and Envir- Olympics," call HCRC hotline at (713) 688-3773.

CEC member organization The American Institute of Architects is also getting into the act with a recycled materials building design competition in Memorial Park on November 15. Using old newspapers for their building blocks, teams will race against the clock and one another in the inaugural AIA/Houston Chronicle R.E.U.S.E. competition to benefit Trees for Houston. For more information, call (713) 520-0155.

All environmental organizations are encouraged to become involved by making their members aware of the activities, setting up booths, and volunteering to participate in some way. To find out more, contact one of the numbers above, or call the CEC at (713) 524-4CEC.