For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
First Public Recycling Container to be Introduced to Downtown Bethesda
Montgomery County Councilmembers Berliner, Leventhal Will Help Launch Environmental Initiative on Wed., May 21
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 20, 2008—The first public recycling container to be situated in Downtown Bethesda will be unveiled on Wednesday, May 21, as that area becomes one of the rare Metropolitan Washington vicinities with public recycling containers.
Montgomery County Councilmembers Roger Berliner (District 1—Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac) and George Leventhal (At-Large), both of whom have been major supporters of environmental issues, will be part of the “Bethesda Green” initiative that will start at 11 a.m. at the corner of Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues, by the Bethesda Urban Partnership kiosk.
Members of the business community, government leaders and organizational representatives and individuals are encouraged to attend the event as Bethesda Green— in cooperation with the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Honest Tea and The Coca-Cola Company—launches the recycling project for pedestrians in the Bethesda business district. Initially, 25 to 35 beverage recycling bins will be placed in high-traffic areas of Bethesda Row, Woodmont Triangle and Metro Center.
Bethesda-based beverage company Honest Tea and the Coca-Cola Company are donating the funds to purchase the bins. Bethesda Green is soliciting $1,000 co-sponsors from the community to support bin maintenance and Bethesda Green. Each recycling bin will have a plaque with the names of the co-sponsors. An environmental fact engraved on the plaque will help increase public awareness of the positive impact of environmental conservation.
In addition to Councilmembers Leventhal and Berliner, among those expected to attend the event are Seth Goldman, president and TeaEO of Honest Tea; Kenneth Hartman, director of the Montgomery County Regional Service Center; Dave Feldman, the Bethesda Green implementation director and CEO of the Livability Project; and
Stephen Greenhouse, a Bethesda resident and local co-sponsor of first recycling bin.
Bethesda Green will serve as a living model to sustain Bethesda’s development by reducing the community’s environmental footprint, attracting environmentally conscious consumers. Through the engagement and collective efforts of the community, the project will work to make Bethesda an even better place. More information is available at www.bethesdagreen.org
Release ID: 08-079
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-777-7939