Press Release

Simi Valley, Calif., May 4, 2009 - This Mother’s Day, why not honor your mother and Mother Earth in the same endeavor? Waste Management of Ventura County reminds its communities to think about both mothers when buying gifts to celebrate this Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day is often associated with gifts of flowers, cards, clothing, perfumes and candy. Waste Management urges local consumers to think “green” by considering more durable and sustainable alternatives for their Mother’s Day gift-giving. After all, when traditional gifts end up taking up more space in a landfill, it’s Mother Earth who takes the hit. So this Mother’s Day, give Mother Earth a break and give your mother a sustainable gift.

“Gifts are a tradition for most holidays and special occasions, so if you’re buying, pause to think before you purchase. Think about what resources it took to make and package the item and how long you think it will last after Mother’s Day,” said Mike Smith, Director of Operations for Waste Management of Ventura County. “There are a number of gestures you can make to celebrate the holiday without generating additional waste … it truly is easy to think green.”

Here are some “green” alternatives to traditional Mother’s Day gifts:

Instead of…	…Give
Fresh Cut Flowers	Potted plants, flowers or trees that can be transplanted into a garden. (If you do give fresh cut flowers, be sure to purchase organic or locally grown ones. Place them in green waste container for recycling once they are ready to be disposed)
Mother’s Day Cards	E-mail greetings or a photo with your message written on the back. Or, consider a plantable card, which embeds flower seeds in a biodegradable card. After your mother has enjoyed your message, she can plant the whole card and enjoy the flowers that grow for even longer. If you purchase a paper card, look for one made of recycled materials. Remind your mom to recycle it if she doesn’t plan to keep it.
Perfume/Lotions	Wastewater treatment plants and septic systems are not designed to handle many of the chemicals used in products today. Consequently, many chemicals could escape into the environment. Read the fine print on labels and purchase natural products, when possible. Check to see if the packaging can be recycled or reused once empty.
Clothing	When choosing clothing, check the labels and care instructions. Try to avoid clothes that require dry cleaning, as the process creates harmful chemicals that can be harmful to the earth. When looking for clothing that reduces wear and tear on the earth, consider natural and organic cotton, wool and even bamboo.

“On any gift-giving occasion we always encourage giving gifts that aren’t disposable – whether it’s a durable, re-usable gift, a gift card or an activity,” Mike Smith said. “By thinking creatively you can come up with the perfect gift for your mother, and Mother Earth – let your mom know you were thinking of both!”

Waste Management provides Ventura County with recycling, trash hauling and solid waste disposal through G.I. Industries and the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Waste Management has owned and operated G.I. Industries since 1998 and the SVLRC site since 1983 and employs more than 230 people in Ventura County. The SVLRC provides approximately 60% of Ventura County's daily refuse disposal needs. The company operates a “green power” program at the site that generates enough power for 2,500 homes, and clean-burning LNG powers 38 of its trucks. Waste Management is a significant contributor to area community groups. For more information visit our website www.keepingventuracountyclean.com.