In an effort to reduce litter and marine debris, state government, private and nonprofit groups joined together in 2008 to help increase the recycling of plastics in California. The goal: keep recyclable plastics out of the ocean and waterways and get them into recycling bins.
To date, the Plastics. Too Valuable to Waste. RecycleSM partnership has placed more than 500 recycling bins and educational signage on 19 beach sites between Monterey and San Diego. Financial backing for the program was provided by the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division, in cooperation with the California Department of State Parks and Recreation and Keep California Beautiful.
California’s State Parks alone receive approximately 79 million visitors per year, with many traveling to visit the parks’ 320 miles of ocean-front property. This program created a widespread opportunity to educate the public and to encourage park visitors to recycle plastics instead of placing them in the trash or, worse, leaving them behind.
Click here to learn more about the Too Valuable to Waste program or watch video.
View presentation on actions by America’s plastics makers to prevent marine debris (June 2009).