.	April 13, 2004 Contact: Don Connell, FCSWDD, (307) 332-7040 Paula McCormick, (307) 332-5546 Photo Caption: These bales of recyclable plastic bags will be sold to one of the manufacturers producing the plastic composite lumber for the new playground at City Park

Plastic Bag Recycling Program Takes Shape in Lander

Lander, Wyo. - How many recycled plastic shopping bags does it take to make a 2'x 3' bale? Believe it or not, the answer is approximately 24,000 bags.

These first bales of recyclable plastic bags represent a unique partnership between the Fremont County Solid Waste Disposal District, Community Entry Services, Lander Recycles, local Lander grocery stores, and the Friends of the Park (with big dreams) to keep plastic bags out of the landfill and from floating around the countryside.

As an economic incentive, these bales of plastic bags will be sold to one of the manufacturers producing the plastic composite lumber slated for use in Lander's new playground at City Park. The plastic composite lumber is made from post-consumer and/or post-industrial reclaimed plastic and waste wood. The recycled plastic comes primarily from grocery sacks and stretch film, and the waste wood from woodworking manufacturers.

It's easy for Lander residents to participate in recycling plastic bags and make a difference. Clean and empty plastic bags of any color can be deposited in the containers at the entrances of Mr. D's and Safeway. No plastic bags should be left at the CES Recycling Center at the Lander landfill due to storage constraints.

Other plastics currently being collected and recycled in Lander include #1 PET bottles of any color (soda and water) and #2 HDPE clear and natural containers (like milk jugs). All tops and lids must be removed

For more information contact:
Don Connell, Fremont County Solid Waste Disposal District, 307-332-7040
Susan Benepe, Lander Recycles, 307-332-7682
Coralee Flug, Friends of the Park (with big dreams), 307-332-3073
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