Speech and Testimony
County Executive Leggett’s Remarks at the Official Kick-off – Department of Environmental Protection’s Holiday Campaign - Gift Outside the Box
Pike & Rose – Rose Park
11920 Grand Avenue, North Bethesda
As prepared
Good Afternoon!
It is a pleasure to be here today to officially launch the Department of Environmental Protection’s Gift Outside the Box campaign.
This important public awareness campaign encourages us to think about ways we can celebrate the holidays while having the least environmental impacts.
The campaign is about five key messages:
1.) Reducing, reusing, and recycling
2.) Giving back
3.) Gifting Greener
4.) Buying Locally, and
5.) Gifting Experiences.
Thanksgiving, traditionally begins the winter holiday season and is a perfect time to reflect on how and what we give during the holidays.
This time, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, we typically see waste increasing an average of 25 percent.
The things that each of us can do - things like bringing reusable bags when shopping or buying locally - can make a big difference to help our environment.
Our Department of Environmental Protection has created a new website with information and tips on how we can implement the three R’s – Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling during the holidays. You will want to go to MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/GiftGreener throughout the holidays.
Our staff will attend many of our County’s holiday events to raise awareness and provide a free reusable bag.
It is a pleasure to be joined today by Barbara Ashe, Executive Vice President of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and Mike Riley, Director of Montgomery Parks.
I want to thank our Acting Department of Environmental Protection Director, Patty Bubar and the entire Department of Environmental staff for their hard work on this campaign.
As we launch our Gift Outside the Box, I want to wish you a happy, healthy and greener holiday season.
Thank you!
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Release ID: 17-121
November, 20; 1 p.m.