[greenyes] First Recycling License Plate in the Country - Legislation Introduced To Create Recycles Issue License Plate -

[Pete Wirth <pwirth@no.address>]

For More Information 
Contact                                                              For 
Immediate Release
Jeff Edwards
NYSAR3 Board member
518-878-3577 cell
jeffe_2@no.address

Legislation Introduced To
Create Recycles Issue License Plate
First Recycling License Plate in the Country

         Albany, NY - April 5: - The New York State Association for 
Reduction Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) today praised the introduction of 
legislation to create a New York Recycles "Issues" license plate. The Plate 
was developed by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles in 
Partnership with the New York State Association for Reduction Reuse and 
Recycling (NYSAR3).

         "This is the first recycling license plate issued in the United 
States." said Sharon Fisher, President of NYSAR3, "Other states including 
the State of Washington are looking to emulate it."

         The license plate features a logo of the green chasing arrows 
recycling symbol overlaid on a silhouette of New York State. Along the 
bottom of the plate it reads "Reduce Reuse Recycle" and in the lower left 
hand corner, below the logo it reads "New York Recycles"


         Senator Carl L. Marcellino introduced the legislation in the 
Senate and Assemblyman William Colton has introduced  the bill in the Assembly.

         "Displaying the New York Recycles License Plate on a vehicle 
shows pride in New York's Recycling Programs." stated Senator Marcellino, 
"New York communities throughout the state have worked hard, with support 
of New York State Government, to implement effective recycling programs. 
These programs demonstrate the ability of New Yorkers to form effective 
partnerships between governments, citizens and the private sector to create 
a sustainable economy in New York State."

         Senator Marcellino represents a portion of both  Nassau and 
Suffolk counties.  He is Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation 
Committee.

         Assemblyman William Colton stated, "Recycling has become an 
integral part of managing solid and hazardous wastes in New York 
State.  This license plate offers New Yorkers the opportunity to 
demonstrate their personal commitment to the concepts of reduction, reuse 
and recycling.  In addition, purchase of the license plate increases 
funding for municipal recycling programs through the deposit of the annual 
purchase fee into the Environmental Protection Fund."

         Assemblyman Colton represents part of Brooklyn, NY City. He is 
Chairman of the Legislative Commission on Solid Waste Management. The 
Commission is charged with studying solid waste issues in New York and 
proposing legislation to address those issues.

         "Recycling promotes sustainability and is good public policy. 
Every community in New York is legally required to have recycling programs 
in place. There is strong public support for recycling and I support 
efforts, such as this one, which educate the public about the many benefits 
of recycling," said New York  Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

         Eliot Spitzer was instrumental in working with communities that 
had stopped recycling to reintroduce their recycling programs - as state 
law requires.  In each instance, the programs have been made more effective 
and have been met with public support.

         The bill requires the $25 dollar annual fee from each license 
plate sale and renewal to be credited to the Environmental Protection 
Fund's Solid Waste Account to fund municipal waste reduction or recycling 
activities.

         NYSAR3 created an organizational plate in partnership with the 
Department of Motor Vehicles last year. The legislation will change the 
plate, from an Organizational Plate, which is currently available, to an 
Issues Plate. This change would allow the dedication of the $25 annual fee 
to the Environmental Protection Fund. The $25 fee is charged to all custom 
plate owners. The change would also raise the visibility of the license 
plate on the Department of Motor Vehicles Custom Plates website.

         To purchase the New York Recycles Plate go to the DMV Website, 
Custom Plate Section at http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/cplates.htm and click 
on Causes and Organizations. Go to the Organizations section and scroll 
down until you find the plate of the New York State Association for 
Reduction Reuse and Recycling. Click on the "Order Now" button and you are 
on your way to owning the New York Recycles plate. After the Legislation is 
passed you will find the plate in the Causes section at the top under New 
York Recycles.

         The New York State Association for Reduction Reuse and Recycling 
(NYSAR3) is a statewide Association that was formed in 1988. It is 
dedicated to promoting recycling and providing educational and networking 
opportunities to public and private recycling professionals throughout New 
York State. It also supports citizens, advocates and not-for profit 
organizations dedicated to waste prevention, material reuse and recycling.

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