THE NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT SAYS AROUND 16 PERCENT OF STATE RESIDENTS ACTIVELY RECYCLE, DOWN FROM 21 PERCENT IN RECENT YEARS. ENGLISH BIRD WITH THE RECYCLING COALITION SAYS SHE THINKS THE RATE HAS HELD STEADY AT 16 PERCENT, WHICH EASILY TOPS COLORADO WHERE THE PERCENT IS 9 PERCENT.
BIRD SAYS THE GOAL FOR HER GROUP IN NEW MEXICO IS TO BE AT 35 PERCENT IN FOUR YEARS. SHE SAYS THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 34 PERCENT, BUT THERE ARE STATES APPROACHING THE 50 PERCENT RANGE.
BIRD SAYS GREATER AWARENESS IS THE BEST WAY TO RAISE THE RECYCLING RATE. THE COALITION IS GETTING READY TO LAUNCH A MEDIA CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE MORE RECYCLING STATEWIDE.
