GreenFiber introduces new community paper recycling program in Tampa

The environment, local schools and homeowners each benefit from program

US GreenFiber, LLC, manufacturer of GreenFiber natural fiber blow-in insulation, announces a new community paper recycling program partnership with the Hillsborough County Public Schools. As a company, GreenFiber diverts over 350,000 tons of paper each year from landfills, and its community paper recycling program gives back to local groups.

“The GreenFiber Community Paper Recycling Program offers local benefits that help teach our students about the importance of being environmental stewards,” said Tammy English, recycling program coordinator for GreenFiber in Tampa. “This service provides residents with a free, ecologically-sound way of disposing their recyclable paper materials, supports local organizations and keeps a measurable amount of paper out of local landfills because the materials are recycled right here at our Tampa facility.”

Collection teams at Hillsborough County Public Schools are participating and the school district benefits based on the amount of recyclable materials they gather in their specially-designed GreenFiber recycling bins. Local residents can also bring their recyclable paper materials to the GreenFiber bins located at the schools, providing an additional benefit to participating school groups. The GreenFiber recycling bins feature a vivid green exterior and graphics of the GreenFiber Community Paper Recycling Program mascot – a green frog whose likeness is on education supplies that support school recycling efforts.

Unlike some recycling programs, GreenFiber’s Community Paper Recycling Program accepts a wide variety of paper goods: newspaper, holiday gift wrap, magazines, phonebooks, office paper, cardboard, cereal boxes, brown paper bags and construction paper.

A GreenFiber collector regularly services the bins at no charge and designated community programs benefit based on the amount of recyclable material collected. The community also benefits by reducing the amount of paper products that would otherwise be buried in local landfills. Refuse efficiency experts estimate that paper products account for almost 35 percent of landfill space; some estimates indicate that Americans throw away enough office and writing paper every year to build a wall 12 feet high from Los Angeles to New York City.

Forty GreenFiber recycling bins are being placed at Hillsborough County schools throughout the Tampa area in December and 24 schools remain on a waiting list.

“Hillsborough County School District is passionate about protecting the environment and the GreenFiber Community Paper Recycling Program is a great way to get our students even more involved,” said P.J. Crespo, energy conservation manager for Hillsborough County Public Schools. “We are confident that this program will continue to grow and provide additional benefits to our schools while continuing to protect our environment.”

GreenFiber is also in the process of expanding the program through a partnership with Pasco County schools in Land O’ Lakes – that program is expected to launch in January 2009.

“Our schools have been recycling fiber products for over 15 years. We are excited about the potential to expand upon these efforts by allowing the community to recycle their cardboard, mixed paper, and newspaper at select schools,” said Karen Bryant, recycling coordinator for the District School Board of Pasco County. “A detailed list will be available on our Web site in January at http://recycle.pasco.k12.fl.us. It is a win for the schools and the environment.”

“We are confident that once the potential of this program is realized demand will help dictate growth into additional areas,” English, the Tampa coordinator, said. “People are quick to realize the impact that their efforts can have – to their organization, the environment and the community as a whole.”

To find a GreenFiber bin location in the Tampa area, call Tammy English at 813-503-6401. Additional schools and community and church groups are encouraged to contact the Tampa office to see if their organization is a good fit. Additional details about the program are also available at http://greenfiber.venveo.com/community_paper_recycling_program_corporate.html.

GreenFiber cellulose insulation is a natural fiber product made of 85 percent recycled paper fiber and offers an environmentally-friendly option for homeowners’ building, renovation and re-insulation projects with all of the ease and convenience of blow-in insulation. Since 2000, GreenFiber has diverted nearly 3 million tons of recycled materials from landfills. One ton of recycled paper: saves 17 trees; saves 4,000 kW of energy; can provide enough GreenFiber natural blow-in insulation to insulate the attic of a 2,500-square-foot home.

Established in 2000 and headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., US GreenFiber, LLC is the largest manufacturer of natural fiber insulation, fire and sound products. With 11 manufacturing plants located throughout the United States, GreenFiber products are sold to building supply retailers, manufactured housing builders and insulation contractors in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on GreenFiber, call customer service at 800-228-0024 or visit www.greenfiber.com.