2022 March Board Book

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jennifer Giambroni , CMAB jgiambroni@cmab.net (209) 690-8244 Thalia Sillivan, CMAB tsillivan@cmab.net (209) 690-8242

NEW STATEWIDE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AIMS TO INCREASE RECYCLING OF PLASTIC MILK JUGS California Milk Advisory Board launches initiative to raise awareness of recyclability of milk jug with easy mantra: Pour it. Cap it. Bin it. Tracy, Calif. (Oct. 7, 2021) – The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) today launched a public information campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the recyclability of milk jugs made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) or #2 plastic. The “Recycle the Jug” campaign is designed to drive sustainable behavior change across the state by addressing misconceptions to ensure plastic milk jugs make it into the recycling stream. A 2021 perceptions study conducted by a dairy industry coalition revealed that while 70 percent of California consumers said recyclability is important to them, nearly half (47 percent) found the milk jug difficult to recycle and 32 percent of those consumers reported they didn’t trust it will actually be recycled. “California consumers are dedicated to doing their part to recycle but many don’t understand that the HDPE used for plastic milk jugs is one of the most widely accepted plastics in recycling programs across the United States. It’s highly desirable by recyclers because of its value and ability to be turned into new materials,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “We want to encourage consumers who buy milk in the jug to make sure that jug makes it to the recycling bin to help keep plastic out of landfills.” Working closely with the dairy, retail and recycling industries, the Recycle the Jug campaign encourages consumers to take three simple steps to recycle their plastic milk jugs – Pour it. Cap it. Bin it . A new recylethejug.com site launched in collaboration with the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) provides complete information on milk jug and other recycling. And a new recycling icon with the website address will soon appear on milk jugs at retail stores across California as a reminder to consumers to recycle the jug in their local curbside recycling program. “Dairy processors are constantly exploring ways to provide milk in the most convenient, sustainable packaging – using more recycled HDPE is one example. More recycled content means lower costs for