Guam Recycles Day to celebrate America Recycles Day on November 14

November 13, 2019 (Tiyan, Guam) – The Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA) will celebrate America Recycles Day with a proclamation signing ceremony to highlight Guam’s recycling efforts and recycling rate. This year’s ceremony is themed as “Guam Recycles Day,” and is slated for Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. in the Cabinet Conference Room at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex in Adelup.

“We are pleased with the Leon Guerrero Tenorio administration and their commitment to support community based efforts and initiatives that will promote sustainability, zero waste and the overall waste stream reduction in our landfill,” said Guam EPA Administrator Walter S. Leon Guerrero.

Alongside the announcement of this year’s recycling rate, Guam EPA will also recognize the youth and their efforts to promote recycling awareness on Guam. Student based organizations associated with recycling and environmental awareness from schools around the island will be participating in the Guam Recycles Day celebration. Schools with active organizations who promote awareness and activity include: Merizo Elementary School, Price Elementary School, Talofofo Elementary School, F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, Okkodo High School, Notre Dame High School and St. John’s School.

“We applaud our island’s education system – both public and private, for their advocacy towards environmental stewardship. We remain appreciative of every principal, teacher and aide who instills this stewardship into each and every student. Our success and ongoing efforts may not be realized without the cumulative efforts taken by the students in the community,” stated Leon Guerrero.

In 2011, the Guam EPA began tracking our island’s recycling activity and reported a 17.85% recycling rate in 2012. Since then, Guam EPA has used America Recycles Day as an opportunity to report the island’s recycling rate for all eligible materials diverted away from the landfill. In 2018, Guam EPA reported a recycling rate of 39.16% for all eligible materials reported in calendar year 2017. Eligible waste includes aluminum cans, cardboard, mixed paper, e-waste, ferrous and nonferrous metals, tires, automotive batteries, plastics, mulched composted material and food waste.

In developing the recycling rate calculations, Guam EPA works closely in collaboration with U.S. EPA Region IX Zero Waste & Green Building Coordinator Timonie Hood, along with the continued guidance and support from Regional Administrator Mike Stoker, Pacific Islands Office Manager John McCarrol and Guam/CNMI Program Manager Carl Goldstein.

Information and updates about recycling on Guam can be found by visiting epa.guam.gov/recycling or by contacting the Guam EPA Recycling Officer Sabrina Cruz-Sablan by phone 671.300-4751 or via email at sabrina.cruzsablan@epa.guam.gov.