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For Immediate Release June 7, 2002

Contact: Steve Martin, Executive Director 215.383.0316 steve@neighborhoodbikeworks.org

PADEP Names Local Group a 2002 Waste Watcher

PA Department of Environmental Protection Honors West Philadelphia's Neighborhood Bike Works as 2002 Waste Watcher Award Recipient

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania June 7, 2002 - The PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recognized Neighborhood Bike Works (NBW) of Philadelphia as a 2002 Waste Watcher Award recipient at a special ceremony luncheon held at the Hilton Harrisburg & Towers. On behalf of Governor Mark Schweiker, DEP Secretary David E. Hess commended Neighborhood Bike Works for its environmental stewardship in reuse and for its accomplishments in contributing to the Commonwealth's waste reduction goals. In total, 59 award winners from 28 counties across the Commonwealth received this prestigious honor for various waste reduction efforts.

 

"I am pleased to congratulate the winners of the 2002 Waste Watcher Awards," said Secretary Hess. "By demonstrating leadership in their communities, environmental stewardship and continued commitment to recycling, reuse and waste reduction, Waste Watcher Award recipients exemplify the kind of participation and dedication that will propel us to reach our recycling goal of 35 percent waste reduction by 2003."

 

Over the last two years, Neighborhood Bike Works collected 360 bicycles from the Lower Merion Solid Waste Transfer Station. These bicycles were distributed to urban youth, sold at very affordable rates to support the program, or stripped for the useful parts if the bicycles themselves were unusable.

 

"Neighborhood Bike Works promotes youth development by offering educational, recreational, and career-building opportunities through bicycling. NBW provides classes in bicycle maintenance, repair and safety using recycled bicycles donated by the community. We promote cycling as a healthy, environment-friendly form of transportation. We are proud of Neighborhood Bike Work's hard work and dedication to reducing waste and increasing recycling," said Steve Martin, NBW's Executive Director. To be recognized by DEP is an honor and privilege for us. Our accomplishments provide tangible proof that recycling and reuse efforts can make a sizable contribution to the environment."

 

NBW also sponsors the "Bike Church" bike repair co-op, offers used adult bikes for sale, classes for adults in bike repair and urban riding skills, and can provide bike parking, safety workshops, and bike safety checks for events

 

For more information about the Neighborhood Bike Works, visit www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org.

 

For more information about the Waste Watcher Awards and recycling, visit PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: "Waste Watcher."