State grant will make the Greensboro Coliseum Complex a greener building

GREENSBORO, NC (June 20, 2008) – The City of Greensboro Field Operations Department has been awarded a Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant worth $18,000 from the NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. The grant will be used to fund changes that will make the Greensboro Coliseum Complex a greener facility. Changes include recycling a greater variety and larger amount of materials, reducing the number of contaminated recyclables, and raising public awareness of recycling at the Coliseum. 
 
The grant will continue an ongoing emphasis on environmental care at the Coliseum Complex. In 2007, the Coliseum changed from using non-recyclable cups to using recyclable bottles for beverages. The Coliseum is currently improving the efficiency of its recycling process by adding a recycling chute and platform that makes it quicker and easier to recycle large volumes of material. The Coliseum also added a 40-yard compacting recycling dumpster that holds more materials and needs less frequent collection service. 

The recycling grant will allow for the purchase of recycling tilt carts that will collect recyclables from the recycling chute. It will also pay for the purchase of 100 bottle-shaped recycling containers with graphics to promote the program that will be placed throughout the facility. In addition, backlit advertising panels and other LED graphics in the Coliseum will focus on informing guests about the recycling program and encouraging participation. The carts, containers and signage will all be in place by the end of August.

“The news of this grant is gratifying for us for two reasons,” said Field Operations Collections Manager Sheldon Smith. “First, it shows that the state recognizes the value of recycling and the effectiveness of Greensboro’s recycling program. Second, it helps us share our program with millions of Coliseum visitors every year. As a result, the City collects more recyclable materials and less trash.”

The City of Greensboro was one of 26 organizations that received recycling grants this year from the NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. The City will add a cash match of at least $3,500 to the grant for a total minimum amount of $21,500.