Press Release

Recycling Program Raises Over $28,400 for Antelope Valley Schools
Total Trash Out Teaches Children About Recycling and the Environment


ANTELOPE VALLEY, Calif, June 1, 2004 – Over 22,000 students from 6 local school districts participated in the 12th annual “Total Trash Out,” raising over $28,400 for Antelope Valley schools. Total Trash Out is an aluminum can contest among local schools to help raise money, teach children about the importance of recycling and promote keeping the environment clean. Funds raised by the program are given directly to each participating school.

This year the participating schools collected a total of 22,778 lbs. The winning schools will be announced at the annual awards luncheon on Wednesday, June 2nd at 12:00PM at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center in Palmdale. In addition to the participating schools in attendance, also attending will be Steve Williams, Assistant City Manager of Palmdale, Palmdale City Council Member Jim Root and Richard Long, Management Analyst from the City of Lancaster.

“For 12 years, the Total Trash Out program has succeeded in providing participating schools with desperately needed funding, raising over $301,000 for local schools,” said Lisa Hemenway, Waste Management’s Recycling Coordinator. “Through this joint effort with students, teachers, parents and neighbors, Total Trash Out not only benefits students and schools, it benefits the entire community.”

Two schools will be recognized as grand-prize winners in the contest: the school that collects the most pounds of aluminum cans overall and the school that collects the most pounds of aluminum cans per student, giving smaller schools the opportunity to compete. With an increase in the California Redemption Value, this year’s winning schools will receive $1.25 per lb. from Alameda Metal, in addition to exciting prizes such as a carnival party, a new computer, tickets to Jethawk Night, collectible coins, gift certificates to the Antelope Valley mall, savings bonds, a day trip to Funland USA and much more.

“Waste Management is committed to promoting recycling in the communities it serves,” continued Hemenway. “Through the Total Trash Out program, Waste Management is able to help raise funds for local schools, while also teaching students about the benefits of recycling.”

TTO is a joint effort between Waste Management of Antelope Valley, grants funded through the Department of Conservations, the City of Lancaster, the City of Palmdale, Alameda Metals Recycling and various local businesses to help the schools of the Antelope Valley.

For more information about Waste Management of Antelope Valley and the services we offer, please visit our website at www.KeepingAVclean.com

Waste Management is the industry's leading provider of comprehensive waste management, recycling and environmental protection services. Based in Houston, the Company serves municipal, commercial, industrial, and residential customers throughout North America.

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