WASHINGTON — The National Mall, known as America’s "front yard” and stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, is finally getting a recycling program.
Officials recently said the effort will begin with a study of how much of the nearly four tons of trash generated each day can be salvaged and reused.
A $1.1 million gift from Coca-Cola Co. will jump start the effort and help the National Mall catch up with other urban parks across the country. This summer, the National Park Service and its fundraising partners will study the waste generated to see how many and where recycling bins are needed. They hope to begin putting out bins by October, and are discussing whether revenue can be generated by recycling.
"This is the icon of democracy, and it should reflect the best practices that we have to offer as a country,” said Caroline Cunningham, president of the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit group that raises private money to support the mall’s upkeep.
The National Park Service has been slow to get the National Mall to go green, crippled in part by a $390 million backlog on maintenance for the grounds and monuments. Parks in other cities, such at Atlanta’s sprawling Piedmont Park, already have recycling bins placed beside nearly every trash can.
The National Mall attracts about 25 million visitors a year — more than Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon combined. Almost none of the trash visitors leave behind is recycled, except for efforts during some major events.
Coca-Cola is providing $500,000 as a down payment for the recycling program and $600,000 to support programs at the National Mall and other national parks.
by the associated press
Officials recently said the effort will begin with a study of how much of the nearly four tons of trash generated each day can be salvaged and reused.
A $1.1 million gift from Coca-Cola Co. will jump start the effort and help the National Mall catch up with other urban parks across the country. This summer, the National Park Service and its fundraising partners will study the waste generated to see how many and where recycling bins are needed. They hope to begin putting out bins by October, and are discussing whether revenue can be generated by recycling.
"This is the icon of democracy, and it should reflect the best practices that we have to offer as a country,” said Caroline Cunningham, president of the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit group that raises private money to support the mall’s upkeep.
The National Park Service has been slow to get the National Mall to go green, crippled in part by a $390 million backlog on maintenance for the grounds and monuments. Parks in other cities, such at Atlanta’s sprawling Piedmont Park, already have recycling bins placed beside nearly every trash can.
The National Mall attracts about 25 million visitors a year — more than Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon combined. Almost none of the trash visitors leave behind is recycled, except for efforts during some major events.
Coca-Cola is providing $500,000 as a down payment for the recycling program and $600,000 to support programs at the National Mall and other national parks.
by the associated press
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