Recycling Magazines Is Excellent (ReMix)

Remix is a unique recycling campaign partnering national and non-profit businesses to focus on increasing the recycling of magazines in metropolitan Milwaukee area. This innovative partnership was created by national partners that include the National Recycling Coalition, Time Inc., International Paper, Recycle America Alliance (RAA), the City of Milwaukee, and Waukesha County.

Building on the southeast Wisconsin's strong record of recycling and high magazine readership, the ReMix -- Recycling Magazines is Excellent - campaign, is designed to inform residents that they can easily include magazines and catalogs with their other paper recycling. By doing so, they will divert magazines and catalogs from landfills and provide significant economic benefits to the local community.

It's an honor for Wisconsin that the Milwaukee metro area was chosen to participate in this national recycling partnership," said Governor Jim Doyle. "With our high rates of household recycling, strong local recycling programs, and exceptional paper and printing industries, Wisconsin is well-positioned to make the ReMix magazine and catalog recycling effort a success in our largest urban area."

Gov. Doyle encouraged residents who are not already including magazines and catalogs in their paper recycling to begin by simply putting them with their other paper to be recycled.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 2 million tons of magazines are produced each year in the United States, but only about 32 percent are recycled. National research shows that Americans support recycling, but they are often uncertain about what can be recycled. That's why the National Recycling Coalition has brought government agencies, leading companies and advocacy organizations together in several communities around the nation to educate the public about just how easy it is to recycle magazines and catalogs.

The ReMix partners will measure the recovery of magazines and catalogs in the City of Milwaukee and in Waukesha County. Currently, paper represents about 63 percent of the residential tonnage that is recycled by the City of Milwaukee and Waukesha County. However, with about 30 percent of magazines and catalogs recycled, the ReMix partners see a clear opportunity to create an exemplary program that other cities will want to emulate.

The Department of Natural Resources supports the Remix efforts taking place in the metro Milwaukee area and encourages residents to participate by including their magazines and catalogs with their other paper recyclables. In most communities magazines can be mixed with your newspapers and bundled or bagged together. For more information on participation, contact your local community's recycling responsible unit at responsibile unit contacts.

Remix is coordinated locally by the Wisconsin BeSmart Coalition. (exit DNR) or call toll free 866-917-6278.

On a national level ReMix is coordinated by the National Recycling Coalition (exit DNR).