Public parks will be getting cleaner in communities across the country thanks to a significant grant made possible by Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) in collaboration with Keep America Beautiful (KAB).
Twenty-six local and county governments in 19 states will receive durable, permanent recycling bins as part of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant program.
In total, the grants will provide nearly 900 recycling bins for placement in a variety of park settings. Twenty-two of the communities receiving grants intend to place bins at athletic fields; 18 will locate bins in small neighborhood parks; and seven will use them to collect recyclables from beaches and waterfront locations. Additional bins will be placed in state parks, larger urban parks and walking trails and other natural settings. Eleven of the communities receiving bins are in coastal zones. Go here to see the full list of communities receiving grants.
The 900 recycling bins to be placed through the DPS/KAB Recycling Bin Grant program this year add to the 710 bins provided in the inaugural year of the partnership in 2013.
“Individuals, businesses and governments all have a stake in cleaner communities and reducing waste,” said Vicki Draughn, VP of corporate affairs at DPS. “Working with Keep America Beautiful, we’re embracing the opportunity to make recycling more convenient for our valued consumers in communities across the country as they enjoy their favorite public parks and other outdoors spaces.”
The grant program was open to all government agencies that own or manage local, regional or state parks. Nonprofit organizations and KAB affiliates were eligible to apply on behalf of government agencies. These grants will provide durable, permanent recycling bins for placement in a variety of park settings.
“Access and convenience are two of the biggest obstacles to recycling,” said Brenda Pulley, SVP of recycling at Keep America Beautiful. “By making these recycling bins available in parks, nature trails, athletic fields and other public spaces, the grants awarded through our partnership with Dr Pepper Snapple will help these communities increase on-the-go recycling.”
The KAB partnership is part of DPS’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability. The company has set specific operational goals to improve efficiency in energy and water use, reduce manufacturing waste and conserve packaging resources by 2015.
