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Recycle America Alliance (RAA), a majority-owned subsidiary of Houston-based Waste Management Inc., and a major collector of recyclables from businesses and households in North America, is a recipient of the National Recycling Coalition’s (NRC) sixth annual "Recycling Works" Recognition Award. The award acknowledges organizations that have made a significant commitment to the conservation of natural resources through recycling.

"Waste Management, through its Recycle America Alliance, is demonstrating that waste reduction and recycling are more than just good business practices, they also provide business advantages as well," Kate Krebs, NRC’s executive director, says.

"Waste Management and Recycle America Alliance are honored to have been selected to receive this award," Steve Ragiel, president of RAA, says. "Recycling is a core business for Waste Management and RAA, and we are committed to being the leader in innovation and the use of technology in the recycling industry. We believe that technology and public education efforts are key to increasing the sustainability of recycling in the U.S. and Canada."

RAA has approximately 2,700 employees, handles more than 8 million tons of commodities per year, operates 80 recycling plants and provides marketing for more than 190 Waste Management locations in the U.S. and Canada. RAA also operates 11 container processing plants, two plastics recycling plants and four electronics recycling plants.

The NRC, based in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of recycling, source reduction, composting and reuse. It provides technical information, education, training outreach and advocacy services to its member in order to conserve resources and benefit the environment.

The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) is lead sponsor of a game to help children learn the importance of recycling.

The King Arts Complex, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Rumpke Recycling, Cincinnati, and Abitibi Recycling, Houston, are also sponsors of "The Amazing Recyclotron" computer game.

Richard Brown created "Recyclotron" with input from a group of children. "In the end, we wanted everyone to have a good time playing the game, yet learn something about recycling without preaching."

"Recyclotron" consists of two games—"Road Rally" and "Junkyard Gold." In "Road Rally," players control their vehicle through a course as they collect recyclables and avoid non-recyclable objects. "Junkyard Gold" is a matching game in which the goal is to score points by matching up recyclables.

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers have introduced Pennsylvania Material Trader, an on-line service to facilitate the exchange and reuse of traditionally discarded materials.

Material Trader is a free service designed to match businesses and organizations that produce waste, by-products or surplus materials with businesses and organizations that need them.

The www.materialtrader.org Web site allows users to place materials on the exchange and to search for and respond to the materials listed. Participants also have the option of listing their materials confidentially.

Materials offered through Material Trader are either free or have a nominal cost.

Additional information on Pennsylvania Material Trader is available on-line at www.pasbdc.org or by contacting Nancy Crickman at (215) 898-1219 or at crickman@wharton.upenn.edu.