Department of Conservation, Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Team up to Increase Beverage Container Recycling
SACRAMENTO - To further enhance beverage container recycling efforts by California businesses, the state Department of Conservation (DOC) today announced a yearlong partnership with The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
The Hispanic Business Recycling Program aims to strengthen recycling activity among more than 600,000 Hispanic-owned businesses represented by The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
"We couldn't ask for a better opportunity to work alongside our new partners in the business community," Luther said. "Our hope is that beverage container recycling will become business as usual."
To kick-off the partnership, the DOC honored Macias, Gini & O?Connell, LLP (MGO), in Sacramento for following the initiative by implementing an office recycling program. MGO, a member of the CHCC for over 20 years, began recycling bottles, cans, cardboard and paper in February to help the environment and encourage other Hispanic-owned businesses to begin recycling programs.
"We are proud that we are among one of the first Hispanic-owned businesses to take advantage of this partnership to help the environment," said Ken Macias, partner of MGO. "We are here today to show others that recycling at work is easy and the right thing to do."
During the press conference, CHCC members were invited to take a pledge to start a beverage container recycling program in their business. Each member signed and gave a painted green handprint as a promise to promote sustainability.
"For years the DOC has been successfully educating Californians about the importance of beverage container recycling,? said Joel Ayala, President and CEO of the CHCC. ?This partnership allows our members to take decisive action towards protecting the environment, and we really want our members to become part of that environmental movement. Beverage container recycling can now be implemented in our day to day business activities so Hispanic business-owners can be part of the solution to climate change."
CHCC is the largest regional Hispanic business organization in the nation, promoting the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs in California. A key component of the partnership involves dissemination of important DOC recycling information via communication between the CHCC and its statewide network of more than 60 Hispanic chamber and business associations.
With the assistance of the DOC, participating chambers and the statewide CHCC will play a vital role in assisting their members to be part of the state?s drive toward environmental sustainability. DOC will participate in the chambers? major fundraising events and membership mixers, and establish ongoing communications efforts with chamber members through e-mail blasts and newsletters.
MGO is a statewide public accounting, consulting and personnel services firm, headquartered in Sacramento, with offices in Oakland, Walnut Creek, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, San Marcos and San Diego.
All aspects of the state's beverage container recycling program are paid for with unclaimed refunds of California Redemption Value beverage containers, at no cost to the state's general fund. CRV is five cents on containers less than 24 ounces, 10 cents on containers 24 ounces or larger.
To find nearby recycling centers, consumers can visit www.bottlesandcans.com and enter their zip code, or call the DOC?s toll-free hotline, 1-800-RECYCLE.
In addition to promoting beverage container recycling, DOC maps and studies earthquakes and other geologic phenomena; classifies areas containing mineral deposits; ensures reclamation of land used for mining; regulates oil, gas and geothermal wells; and administers agricultural and open-space land conservation programs.
For more information about DOC programs, visit www.conservation.ca.gov.