Vista Guild’s Recycling Initiative in Full Swing
March 17, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – March 17, 2009 – The Congaree Vista Guild has spearheaded the development of a new “Smart Businesses Recycle” program.
“Smart Businesses Recycle” arose in response to staggering statistics. While many businesses already recycle, an estimated 14 percent recycle nothing or cardboard only. The state of South Carolinaʼs goal is to recycle 35 percent of its municipal waste. Recycling 80,000 tons of paper and containers each year will result in greenhouse gas emission reductions equivalent to driving nearly 42,000 cars for one year.
“Smart Businesses Recycle” was funded by a grant as a partnership between the City of Columbia and the Vista Guild. Gretchen Lambert of Studio 2LR Architects and Planners, and Kay Hampton with Capitol Places wrote and won a competitive grant from the Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling. The Vista’s Office Paper and Cardboard Recycling Center sits on the corner of Washington and Wayne Streets, adjacent to Memorial Park.
Additionally, with the grant funding, residents and businesses in the Vista can receive gray recycling bins with the “Smart Businesses Recycle” logo. The bins are available in different sizes and available at no cost by contacting Gretchen Lambert at [email protected].
“The recycling efforts are not only indispensable during our large festivals like Viva La Vista and Artista Vista, which is back this April,” said Vista Guild executive director Deirdre Mardon, “but improve upon everyday life and work in the Vista.”
For more information on the Vista Guild’s recycling efforts or to arrange interviews, call Riley Communications at 803.227.0914 or e-mail [email protected].
