Stay Informed!

Josephs encourages others, city to 'recycle NOW!'

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 31 -- Interested in seeing recycling expanded in the city, state Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., recently attended the kick-off Recycle NOW Campaign meeting in Bella Vista.

The Recycle NOW Campaign is a public information, education and civic action campaign that works through neighborhood and other groups to implement a citywide incentive-based curbside recycling program.

"Philadelphia was the first city in the nation to pass a mandatory recycling law, but we have fallen behind; only 5 percent of our solid waste is being recycled," Josephs said. "The experts say that if Philadelphia increased its recycling rate to 35 percent -- the same recycling goal set for Pennsylvania statewide -- it would save local taxpayers $17 million a year."

At the Jan. 25 meeting, Josephs encouraged those attending to join in her efforts, and those of the Recycle NOW Campaign, to help make this campaign a successful one.

"I have been very active in preserving the environment and recycling; I started a backyard food waste composting project in my district which has gone citywide, but I always knew I couldn't do it myself," Josephs said. "I've been waiting for you. Citizen activists devoted to making Philadelphia the recycling leader among cities are the ones who will make it happen.

"I commend you for your commitment. It won't be easy -- nothing worthwhile in life is -- but I believe you and the city will win. I am committed to do what I can on the state level."

Josephs has long been an active environmentalist. She consistently has received high ratings from environmental groups; she doesn't own or drive a car; is the state's leading public transit advocate; and she recycles as much as possible.

The campaign is a project of the Recycling Alliance of Philadelphia.

If you would like to support smart recycling and the Recycle NOW Philadelphia Campaign, go to www.recyclenowphiladelphia.org and click to "Take Action." To get involved with the Recycle NOW Campaign, contact Emily Linn, program director for the Clean Air Council, at 215.567.4004, ext. 103.