Abitibi-Consolidated, one of the largest recyclers of newspapers and magazines in North America, in an effort to increase recycling in Houston has begun a new public/private recycling partnership with the City of Houston and Texas-based grocer H-E-B to place 84 recycling containers at store properties located throughout the Greater Houston region.   The partnership, a first of its kind for Abitibi-Consolidated, allows the company to prominently place its distinctive containers at 22 H-E-B store locations for the collection of paper, plastics, aluminum and metals.   Abitibi- Consolidated will collect and weigh the recycled materials and directly pay a portion to Keep Houston Beautiful, based on the company's per weight pay scale.

These proceeds will be used to support local initiatives such as recycling educational programs and materials for children and community clean-up as well as landscaping efforts. In 2006, Abitibi-Consolidated contributed more than $4 million to schools, churches and not-for-profit organizations for their paper recovery efforts and saved approximately 8.5 million cubic yards of landfill space.   The recycling partnership with H-E-B marks the first time Abitibi-Consolidated has committed to a multi-site arrangement with a singular private entity to collect multiple materials. By partnering with H-E-B, who maintains a significant presence in the Greater Houston region, this will expand Abitibi-Consolidated's ability to reach more people and provide them with a recycling alternative that can easily accommodate their busy lifestyles and hectic schedules.

Map of the H-E-B Stores -- www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/heb-map.pdf.

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