Vista Celebrates New Recycling Capabilities, Award May 28

May 14, 2009

COLUMBIA, SC – May 11, 2009 – The Congaree Vista Guild’s “Smart Businesses Recycle” program has already been a success, and Mayor Bob Coble is awarding Vista businesses for their efforts in a special reception and official kickoff on May 28 at 11 a.m. The event will take place at the Vista’s Office Paper and Cardboard Recycling Center, which sits on the corner of Washington and Wayne Streets, adjacent to Memorial Park.

Hors d’oeuvres will also be served at this event, which is free and open to Vista businesses and the public. Additionally, the Guild is announcing new green, brown and clear glass as well as aluminum and newspaper recycling opportunities.

 “Smart Businesses Recycle” was funded by a grant as a partnership between the City of Columbia and the Congaree Vista Guild. Gretchen Lambert of Studio 2LR Architecture + Interiors, 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.

“We’ve already seen how our recycling program is strengthening our community in the Vista,” said Hampton. “The Vista Guild is striving to be the greenest neighborhood in Columbia, and even though we’ve already been successful with our efforts, we’d like to see the Vista take recycling to the next level.”

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]. Participating Vista businesses can also pick up door stickers with the “Smart Businesses Recycle” logo at the event.

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].