SEMA Has Multi-Faceted Its Recycling Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media contact: Rosemarie Kitchin, rosemariek@sema.org SEMA, 909/396-0289, ext. 104 SEMA HAS MULTI-FACETED ITS RECYCLING PROGRAM California EPA Honors SEMA Program for Second Consecutive Year DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (December 18, 2002) - Ever wonder what happens to all unused, leftover paper after a major event like the recent SEMA Show 2002? In the case of SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, it gets recycled. The extra brochures, direct mail postcards, obsolete stationery, and other pre-printed but unused paper materials are collected and sent to recyclers. The paper-recycling habit is only one of SEMA's programs for environmental consciousness. The association also recycles its inkjet and laser cartridges. It reuses cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and biodegradable shipping materials when it ships materials to and from its various trade shows and meetings. It collects cans, bottles, and plastic used at SEMA headquarters for recycling. It provides advice to SEMA-member companies that want to start a waste reduction program of their own. SEMA staff members have use of a company vehicle when two or more of them are driving to meetings to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and to help control automotive emissions on the California highways. The California Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) awarded its WRAP (Waste Reduction Awards Program) designation to SEMA for its efforts in 2001. CEPA calculates that SEMA, as a 2002 Recycler of the Year winner, saved 197 trees from being cut down, preventing paying $700 in landfill fees, and avoided the usage of 80,000 gallons of water and 4,100 gallons of oil through its multi-faceted program of waste reduction. Gene Thiel, who coordinates the environmentally friendly program for SEMA, said that the association began its concerted effort to reduce waste in 1998. The 2002 award was its second consecutive Recycler of the Year award. SEMA received its first Recycler award in 2001 for its Year 2000 efforts, he said. SEMA represents the $26 billion specialty automotive industry. Founded in 1963, the trade association has more than 4,500 member companies. It is the authoritative source of research data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA, 91765-3914; call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com ============================== If you do not wish to receive e-mail from SEMA, please reply to this message and tell us to delete you from the list.