In November of 1998, the Vice President challenged American businesses, industry, state and local governments, colleges and universities, and other interested organizations to join with the Federal government in committing to specific actions to make recycling more sustainable in the United States. The goal of the National Recycling Challenge is to increase the national recycling rate from 27 percent to 35 percent. To date, we have received more than 70 outstanding, innovative commitments from leaders in business, government, academia, and non-governmental organizations. They demonstrate that recycling has become an integral part of the way we do business in the United States, saving on the bottom line, creating jobs, and conserving precious resources for future generations.
Recycling truly is everybody's business.
These National Recycling Challenge commitments demonstrate significant past successes in recycling and the rededication of resources and innovation to produce less waste, recycle more, create economic opportunities, design and buy more recycled content products, and conserve energy and our natural resources to benefit our children and future generations. The commitments demonstrate the forward thinking and determination that has made our nation great. The efforts of each of these organizations will make a profound contribution to the economic and environmental health of the United States, benefiting our citizens today and into the future. On behalf of President Clinton and Vice President Gore, I thank each organization making a National Recycling Challenge commitment and invite others to join with us in expanding and sustaining recycling in America.