Keep America Beautiful and Dr Pepper Snapple Group Provide Grants to Increase Recycling in Public Parks

Jun 10, 2013 2:30 PM ET

STAMFORD, Conn., June 10, 2013 /3BL Media – Public parks will be getting cleaner in communities across the country as Dr Pepper Snapple Group /Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant Program awards were announced today.

In its first year, the Dr Pepper Snapple Group/KAB Park Recycling Bin Grant program is designed to establish or expand recycling opportunities in different park settings from neighborhood parks with playgrounds or athletic fields to regional parks with trails and natural settings. In an effort to help local, regional and state parks increase and make more convenient recycling opportunities for visitors, Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) committed to a one-year collaboration with KAB to fund the placement of these recycling bins.

"We are pleased to be working with KAB to develop meaningful solutions that support public space recycling," said Tim Gratto, vice president of sustainability for DPS. “The DPS/KAB Park Recycling Bin Grant Program makes recycling easier and more accessible for consumers in their favorite parks and public spaces while also aiding efforts to reduce litter.”

The grant program was open to all government agencies that own or manage local, regional or state parks. Nonprofit organizations and KAB affiliates were eligible to apply on behalf of government agencies.

In total, 33 grants are being awarded to local and state governments in 23 states. The grants will provide 710 durable, permanent recycling bins for placement in a variety of park settings. Twenty-five of the communities receiving grants intend to place bins at athletic fields; 21 will locate bins in small neighborhood parks; and 19 will use bins to establish recycling along walking trails and other natural settings. Additional bins will be placed in state parks, beach and water front locations, and larger urban parks. For a full list of communities receiving grants, visit http://irecycleonthego.wordpress.com.

“The recycling bins placed in parks, athletic fields and other public spaces through this program address  two of the biggest obstacles to recycling:  access and convenience,” said Brenda Pulley, senior vice president, recycling, Keep America Beautiful.  “The grants awarded through our partnership with Dr Pepper Snapple will make a difference in increasing on-the-go recycling in these communities.”  

The KAB partnership is part of DPS’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability. The company has set specific operational goals to improve efficiency in energy and water use, reduce manufacturing waste and conserve packaging resources by 2015.

About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful is the nation’s leading nonprofit that brings people together to build and sustain vibrant communities. With a network of more than 1,200 affiliate and participating organizations including state recycling organizations, we work with millions of volunteers to take action in their communities. Keep America Beautiful offers solutions that create clean, beautiful public places, reduce waste and increase recycling, generate positive impact on local economies and inspire generations of environmental stewards. Through our programs and public-private partnerships, we engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community’s environment. For more information, visit kab.org.

About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 or No. 2 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Mott's, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Peñafiel, Rose's, Schweppes, Squirt and Sunkist soda. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit DrPepperSnapple.com. For our latest news and updates, follow us at Facebook.com/DrPepperSnapple or Twitter.com/DrPepperSnapple. For more information on DPS's philanthropic efforts and sustainability goals, visit www.dpsgsustainability.com.   

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