October 23, 2006
ATLANTA, GA – The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) today proudly participated as a co-sponsor of the National Recycling Coalition's (NRC) launch of a historic campaign to reignite American consumer interest in recycling by providing clear, consistent information on what, how, and why to recycle. IBWA was joined by fellow co-sponsors, which include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Beverage Association, the Food Marketing Institute, and the Grocery Manufacturers of America as NRC announced the launch of the initiative at its 25th Annual Conference and Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.
IBWA President and CEO Joseph K. Doss said about the NRC program, "As a co-sponsor of the NRC initiative, the bottled water industry is crucial to the program's success. IBWA members are committed to the safety and convenience of bottled water and recognize the responsibility of the industry and its consumers to properly recycle empty bottled water containers. This is not a new philosophy for the bottled water industry."
Doss continued, "We have been active, committed participants in the battle to increase recycling rates and to get consumers to do the right thing and recycle. We have, through the years, worked with our partners in the beverage industry, municipalities, and recycling advocacy organizations to promote recycling and to be a vocal advocate of curbside and other comprehensive recycling programs. IBWA believes that these types of recycling systems make the most sense due to their effectiveness, economic efficiency, and ease of use for the consumer."
All bottled water containers are recyclable, where recycling facilities exist and the bottled water industry is among the original recyclers. The industry was founded by utilizing the reusable container system of the Home and Office (HOD) delivery segment. These bottles are sanitized and can be reused an average of 50 times before the bottled water company collects and recycles them. Bottled water is regulated by FDA, which mandates stringent standards to help ensure bottled water's consistent safety, quality and good taste.
Doss concluded, "The power of a single, unified message will drive more consumers to recycle. This partnership will contribute to the effectiveness of community recycling programs across the nation, now and for generations to come."
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The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters. Founded in 1958, IBWA's membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, and state governments to set stringent standards for safe, high quality bottled water products. Additionally, IBWA requires member bottlers to adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices, that in some cases, are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Model Code is an annual unannounced plant inspection by an independent, third party organization. For more information about IBWA, bottled water and a list of member's brands, please contact IBWA Manager of Communications Tom Gardner at 703-647-4607 or tgardner@bottledwater.org.
Below is the corresponding press release from the National Recycling Coalition. To download the press kit,
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Recycling Advocates, Food and Beverage Organizations, and EPA Launch New Partnership Dedicated to Re-Energizing America's Commitment to Recycling
October 23, 2006 (Atlanta, Georgia) – Today the National Recycling Coalition (NRC), the nation's leading voice of recycling, is announcing a historic partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and major food and beverage manufacturers and suppliers to reignite American consumers' interest in recycling by providing clear, consistent information on what, how, and why to recycle.
"This partnership is an unprecedented gathering of recycling advocates, leading trade associations, and government agencies that will breathe new life into the recycling movement," said Kate Krebs, NRC's executive director. "Although many private and public sector organizations communicate with consumers about recycling now, sometimes consumers get mixed messages about how and what to recycle. This new campaign will coordinate those independent activities, combine financial resources, and leverage the vast marketing power of all of the campaign's partners to encourage consumers and private companies to recycle more."
NRC, EPA, the American Beverage Association, the Food Marketing Institute, the Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Products Association, and the International Bottled Water Association, which combined represent the manufacturers and suppliers of America's most popular brands, serve as founding members of the partnership.
"For decades, organizations have used a variety of recycling icons, standards and advertising campaigns to stimulate consumer and corporate recycling," said Krebs. "Many of these campaigns were effective in creating awareness about recycling. However, our current research shows that Americans have lost their sense of urgency about recycling. They aren't always sure about how or what to recycle. This campaign will remind Americans why recycling is as important as ever, and take our nation's recycling participation to the next level." The campaign is one part of a broader strategy NRC is developing to expand recycling in the U.S.
One of the first tasks of the partnership will be the development and dissemination of consumer-friendly recycling icons (such as the familiar chasing arrows symbol) and accurate and standardized recycling terminology for use in product advertising and product labeling.
"President Bush and EPA believe that environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By restarting the nation's recycling engine, EPA and our partners are transforming our throw-away culture into a recycling culture."
"Given our long involvement in recycling issues, we saw the need for a new initiative to support comprehensive recycling efforts," stated Susan K. Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association. "ABA is proud to be a partner in this innovative and progressive coalition that is working together to reinvigorate recycling in America and further protect our environment."
"We believe that this campaign to redefine the well-known chasing arrows symbol is an important step in helping consumers understand how they can recycle more of what they buy at the supermarket," added Tim Hammonds, president and CEO of the Food Marketing Institute.
"This partnership is dedicated to taking our nation's recycling effort to a new level of success, and demonstrates the commitment of each of the partners to environmental sustainability," said GMA/FPA CEO and president-elect Cal Dooley.
"The power of a single, unified message will drive more consumers to recycle," said Joseph K. Doss, president and CEO of the International Bottled Water Association. "This partnership will contribute to the effectiveness of community recycling programs across the nation now and for generations to come."
NRC Executive Director Kate Krebs announced the partnership this morning during the opening plenary session of NRC's 25th Annual Congress & Expo, the nation's premiere educational and networking conference on recycling, held this year in Atlanta, Georgia, October 22-25, 2006.
About the National Recycling Coalition
The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) is a 501(c)(3) membership organization of recycling professionals and advocates from every region of the country, in every sector of the waste reduction field. Local recycling coordinators, state and federal regulators, corporate environmental managers, environmental educators and advocates, and waste management professionals are all members of NRC. Founded in 1978, NRC's objective is to eliminate waste and promote sustainable economies through advancing sound management practices for raw materials in North America. Please visit www.nrc-recycle.org for more information.
About NRC's Partners
To learn more about the organizations working with the National Recycling Coalition on this campaign, please visit these Web sites:
American Beverage Association
www.ameribev.org
Food Marketing Institute
www.fmi.org
Grocery Manufacturers Association
www.gmabrands.com
International Bottled Water Association
www.bottledwater.org
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov
