November 16, 1998
VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES NATIONAL RECYCLING CHALLENGE
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release Contact:
Monday, November 16, 1998 (202) 456-7035
VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES NATIONAL RECYCLING CHALLENGE
Washington, DC -- Vice President Gore today announced a major
initiative to broaden the commitment to recycling in all sectors of the
economy.
"Americans across the country are increasingly concerned about the
impacts that more landfills and waste hauling will have on their
communities in the future," the Vice President said. "This means that
recycling is everybody's business."
"Working together, Americans have increased recycling by nearly 70
percent in six years," Vice President Gore said. "Today, there is even
more that we can do. I am challenging everyone in our communities and all
sectors of the economy to join with us in new partnerships to promote
recycling and to buy and use recycled products."
This initiative, the National Recycling Challenge, was announced as
part of America Recycles Day on November 15. Through this challenge, the
Clinton Administration will work with industry, businesses, universities,
and other institutions to strengthen their commitment to a national
recycling effort.
Vice President Gore was the Honorary Chair of this day's events, and
the new initiative furthers an executive order that President Clinton
issued this past September, directing Federal agencies to strengthen and
expand their recycling efforts.
Federal agencies will be among the first to meet the challenge with
new commitments to the purchase of recycled products. The Departments of
Interior and Justice, for example, announced today that their entire
vehicle fleets will now use only re-refined oil, reducing demands for oil
as well as greenhouse gas emissions generated in the refining process.
"I challenge every American to step forward and contribute to this
important national effort," Vice President Gore said. "By bringing new
partners to the recycling efforts of businesses and families across the
Nation, we will better protect our natural resources, improve our quality
of life, and strengthen our economy."
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