The LOOP - Issue 36 November/December, 2005 U.S. Recycling Economic Information (REI) Study National Report Card for Playground Safety America Unchained Marketplace Exceptional Products U.S. Recycling Economic Information (REI) Study. A new study provides information about recycling company financial and operational performance that is intended to encourage investment in the recycling industry, particularly recycled product manufacturers, and provide individual recycling companies with important performance indicators. The study clearly shows what many have known for a long timethat "Recycling is Working." Study prepared for: Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by AMPros Corporation http://www.moea.state.mn.us/publications/benchmark2005.pdf National Report Card for Playground Safety The National Program for Playground Safety tested 3000 playgrounds across the US & their findings are reported on America's Playgrounds Safety Report Card 2004. Although overall scores increased slightly, Close the Loop was astounded that in every single category, PARKS, CHILD CARE CENTERS & SCHOOLS, EVERY report had an "F" grade on "FALL SURFACING Appropriate depth of loose fill". We can easily fix this problem by installing the correct amount of rubber mulch (6" depth) or wood mulch (12"depth) (or other safety surface materials) to avoid a false sense of security & sending thousands of kids to the hospital for fall-related injuries-70% of the 200,000 injuries per year caused from falls to the surface below. For more information, visit: http://www.playgroundsafety.org/reportcard/index.htm# America Unchained Join us on November 19th for America Unchained. This is a national one-day educational campaign to highlight the economic and community benefits of locally owned businesses and to encourage people to ditch chains for the day. Visit: http://www.amiba.net/Unchained.html Also, do you know what your shopping supports? Responsible Shopper can help you find out! Discover the good, the bad and the ugly behind the products you buy everyday from clothing to shoes to toothpaste. Investigate hundreds of companies on a range of issues, including: Sweatshops, Pollution, Ethics, Discrimination and more. Visit: http://www.responsibleshopper.org/ Marketplace Exceptional Products from Close the Loop: Rubber Mulch Simply the best playground safety surfacing material on the planet!!! Superior shock absorbency, lasts a lifetime, does not freeze in cold weather, no splinters or scraped elbows & kneesPlease call Close the Loop for information and a free sample of rubber mulch for your home, park, school & child care center playground at 866.629.8414. Rubber Pavers 2" thick, high quality rubber paver. Some of the installations have been toddler playgrounds, equestrian, walkways, pool decks, retirement homes, farms, jog trails, day care, arenas, exercise rooms, hot tubs, weight rooms, breeding stalls, handicap areas, and water parks. New Rubber Timbers Shock absorbing, durable. Recycled Plastic Post & Rail Fencing Top-quality fencing product vs. wood or anything out there, check it out! For more information or to purchase any of these products, please visit: www.closetheloop.com or call 866.629.8414 M-F 8am-5pm. IMMEDIATE NEED: Large amounts of unground (or ground) scrap polypropylene (#5) or low density polyethylene (#4) scrap sheets, profiles, bottles or containers. Please call 570.992.7041 or email: closetheloop@msn.com It's the right thing to do & the right time to do it buy recycled buy clean energy buy from locally owned businesses Inspirational Quotes: "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." ~ Mohandas Gandhi "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." ~ Leonardo DaVinci "You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need." ~ Vernon Howard "There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use." ~ Mother Teresa "Waste is a terrible thing to mind - Recycle ." ~ Bumper Sticker "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." ~ Robert Brault You can now call us from your computer using Yahoo! Messenger with voice to close_the_loop@yahoo.com. Best to you & yours, - Close the Loop |
