Mar 5, 2003 - BCN36:$38 MILLION RECYCLING FACILITY OPENS TODAY IN SF SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

The nation's most modern recycling facility opened today at Pier 96 in San Francisco with the capability to process and separate on site 2,100 tons of glass, plastic, paper and aluminum each day.

At noon today, Mayor Willie Brown and Norcal Waste Systems, Inc. President Mike Sangiacomo threw the switch and powered up Recycle Central, the city's $38 million recycling plant.

According to Norcal spokesman Robert Reed, the ultra-modern plant makes recycling easier than ever before. Using an efficient combination of specialized equipment and hand-sorting, Recycle Central allows residents and businesses to put all their bottles, papers, cans and cardboards into the same blue cart.

"Life's a mess, and we sort it out,'' Reed joked.

The real innovation of Recycle Central is that it can provide product manufacturers with a clean, viable alternative to virgin materials. For example, the adjustable sorting systems have the flexibility to produce specific grades of paper and tons of clear plastics, allowing the facility to divert hundreds of thousands of tons of recyclable materials from landfills. "We are not just recycling,'' Sangiacomo said. "Recycle Central and the people of San Francisco are demonstrating that environmental practices can meet market demand.''

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has set a goal of achieving 75 percent recycling citywide by 2010.

Julia Bernstein 0241p 03/05/03

CONTACT: Robert Reed, Norcal Waste Systems (415) 875-1205

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