Republic Services Highlights Antarctic Waste Program to Raise Local Recycling Awareness

May 9, 2012 - PRLog -- OXNARD, Calif.—May 09, 2012— Republic Services , one of the nation’s largest recycling companies, is raising awareness about the importance of recycling locally and globally and educating the public about how they can help improve the environment.
According to a survey done by Plastics Make It Possible, 75 percent of what Americans throw away in the trash can actually be recycled. The current U.S. recycling rate is a mere 30 percent. Republic Services Del Norte Recycling Center is dedicated to its recycling efforts and urges the public to take an extra step that when in doubt, don’t throw it out.
In addition to leading the City of Oxnard’s recycling efforts, Republic Services of Oxnard also handles recyclables for the U.S. Antarctic Program. For the past 11 years, Republic Services has processed more than 30 percent of the waste shipped from Antarctica to help keep it a pristine environment. The company believes that recycling is important not just in the community’s own back yard but in other parts of the world as well.
Due to the harsh environment and per requirements outlined in the U.S. Antarctic Treaty, everything taken to Antarctica by U.S. participants must eventually be removed and returned to the U.S. for disposal. This year alone, a resupply vessel brought back more than 3.5 million pounds of hazardous and non-hazardous waste to the U.S. with over 400,000 pounds of this delivered to Port Hueneme for recycling and disposal at the Del Norte Recycling Center. The U.S. Antarctic program currently recycles 60 percent of all waste generated at the three major research stations on the continent.
In addition, a yearly auction is held at Port Hueneme for usable goods that do not need recycling. The annual auction proceeds benefit the National Science Foundation to defer the cost of waste disposal and transportation.
“Republic is committed to creating deeper partnerships with all stakeholders and we consider the environment a stakeholder,” said Stephen MacIntosh, general manager of Republic Services of Oxnard. “We work every day to protect and enhance the quality of our environment.”
MacIntosh, with more than 14 years of experience in sustainability, waste management and environmental services, is passionate about recycling. To get the community involved in recycling, Republic Services formed the Green Team, a group of Republic and other like-minded volunteers that helped manage the waste stream at the 2011 Santa to the Sea race. Through this group of volunteers, the company will assist and promote recycling at other Ventura County community events, collaborate on green initiatives and educate students on the importance of recycling by conducting tours of the Del Norte Facility.

Through Republic Services’ outreach efforts, the public is strongly encouraged to drop off recyclable goods at its recycling facility in Oxnard and join in the effort to protect our planet’s natural resources.

For more information about Republic Services or the Oxnard recycling plant, visit republicservices.com or call 805-278-8200.

About Republic Services
Republic Services, a leading provider of services in the domestic, non-hazardous solid waste industry, has operated the City of Oxnard’s Del Norte Regional Recycling and Transfer Station, located at 111 S. Del Norte Blvd, since 1999.

Republic Services of Oxnard endorses and supports the City’s goals to improve the condition of the natural environment, significantly reduce the amount of municipal solid waste being disposed in landfills and maximize the recycling and reuse of municipal solid waste.

Republic Services, Inc. provides recycling and solid waste collection, transfer and disposal services in the United States and Puerto Rico.  The Company’s various operating units, including collection companies, transfer stations, recycling centers and landfills, are focused on providing reliable environmental services and solutions for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers.  For more information, visit the Republic Services website at republicservices.com.

Photo cut line: The McMurdo Recycling Station in Antarctica (left) and recyclable cans at the Del Norte Recycling Center in Oxnard (right).