Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/212883
Newsline Litter is a serious and expensive environmental problem – it lowers property values, it is costly to clean, it endangers water quality and affects the quality of life for humans and wildlife. It also wastes valuable resources that could be put to better use through established waste management programs. Litter cleanup costs the U.S. almost $11.5 billion each year, with businesses paying $9.1 billion. Governments, schools and other organizations pick up the remainder. and participating organizations including state recycling organizations, KAB works with millions of volunteers to take action in their communities through programs that deliver sustainable impact. KAB offers solutions and resources for environmental program management that focus on problem solving ideas and realistic goals for communities. With a firm philosophy that education is the starting point for sustainable environmental behaviors, Keep America Beautiful reached more than 2.1 million youth in 2011-12 through either a KAB formal classroom or informal educational presentation or project. KAB's educational resources provide activities and tools to teach the fundamentals of litter prevention, preserving our resources, responsible solid waste management and how to reduce, reuse and recycle. Many KAB educational programs are sponsored by leading corporations, such as Pepsi, Citigroup and Nestle, and are developed with the help of other national organizations and federal agencies. All educational materials are designed to be locally adaptable to meet the needs of individual communities. The Waste in Place resource guide recently underwent a two-year renovation process with the support from the William Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation. It includes over 100 activities for pre-K to sixth-grade students and was field tested by over 4 300 educators. Waste in Place is used nationwide by thousands of teachers to influence positive behavior, to foster social responsibility and respect for the environment and to enrich their students' learning experiences. KAB also sponsors the America Recycles Day initiative, the only nationally-recognized, community-driven event dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. On (and around) November 15 each year, thousands of organizations hold events to educate people about recycling and encourage recycling at home, at school, in the office and in the community. As the national steward of America Recycles Day, Keep America Beautiful provides this vast network of volunteer organizers in every state with resources and promotional materials to support their local America. Click here to find an America Recycles Day event in your community. Other KAB resources include: • The Great American Cleanup annual report features a colorful overview of the broad scope of the nation's largest community improvement program. • To assist affiliates in their community outreach, KAB developed six distinct Litter Fact Sheets covering littering behavior, costs of litter, general litter overview, sources of litter, cigarette butt litter and pedestrian area litter. • Litter research with findings and recommendations concerning litter quantities, statistics, costs and behaviors. •Resources for Businesses and Organizations to Encourage Recycling in the Workplace. For information on Keep America Beautiful programs and resources click here.