Keep America Beautiful affiliates share $140,000 in WM Think Green Grants

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Fourteen Keep America Beautiful (KAB) affiliate organizations will share $140,000 in grants sponsored by Waste Management (NYSE:WM). The Waste Management Think Green Community Improvement Grants are part of an ongoing national effort to encourage the development of local environmental solutions that build sustainable communities.

Now in its fifth year, the merit-based program received proposals from 60 affiliates across the country. Each proposal featured innovative projects designed to increase individual awareness about the local environment through hands-on participation and engagement opportunities.

The winning programs were highly creative and reflected the diverse interests and needs of the local communities. Examples include: “Reuse-a-Palooza” and “Recycle Regatta” to heighten recycling awareness in Tampa Bay; “Dig’n the Dirt” program for learning gardens at Cobb County Schools in Georgia; and the development of a “Graffiti Task Force” in Atlanta to prevent vandalism and beautify communities. All programs are geared to engage communities with sustainable activities that preserve the environment.

“Now more than ever, communities rely on grassroots nonprofits and their volunteers to engage in hands-on projects that build greater civic pride, create a healthier environment and improve the local quality of life,” said Matthew M. McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. “We are truly grateful to Waste Management for the company’s commitment to our mission, our affiliates, and to local stewardship efforts.”

“Waste Management is committed to providing innovative environmental solutions in the areas of recycling, energy efficiency and land conservation, which make our communities cleaner and improve the quality of life,” said Barry Caldwell, WM senior vice president of public affairs and communications and past chairman of the KAB board. “We are honored to partner with KAB, which has a similar mission of supporting its affiliates through creative solutions that enhance our communities.”

Waste Management partners with KAB on numerous programs designed to increase recycling and support community sustainability. The company is also a strong supporter of Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup™, the nation’s largest community improvement program.

Waste Management 2011 Think Green Grant Recipients are listed below. For details on winning proposals, visit kab.org:

• Keep Allen Beautiful, Texas
• Keep Atlanta Beautiful, Ga.
• Keep Brunswick-Golden Isles Beautiful, Ga.
• Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful, R.I.
• Keep Charleston Beautiful, S.C.
• Keep Cobb Beautiful, Ga.
• Keep Dorchester Beautiful, S.C.
• Keep Hawaii Beautiful, Hawaii
• Keep Houston Beautiful, Texas
• Keep Mandeville Beautiful, La.
• Keep Montgomery County Beautiful, Ohio
• Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Fla.
• Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, Pa.
• Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Fla.

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. This national nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. For additional information, visit www.kab.org.

About Waste Management

Waste Management, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. It is the largest residential recycler and also a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The company’s customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more information about Waste Management visit www.wm.com or www.thinkgreen.com.

CONTACTS
KAB Contacts: Robert Wallace/Larry Kaufman
Tel: 203.659.3016 / 203.659.3014
Email: rwallace@kab.org / lkaufman@kab.org
Web site: www.kab.org

Waste Management Contact: Debbie Figueras-Cano
Tel: 832-457-5113
Email: dfigueras@wm.com

SOURCE Keep America Beautiful, Inc.