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65 million years ago . . . As dinosaurs become extinct, their decaying remains are recycled into oil and gas. |
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1776 Americans recycle scrap metals to fight the War of Independence from England. |
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1895 New York City starts the first residential waste program in the United States. |
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1939 - 1945 Thousands of tons of material are recycled to support U.S. and Allied troops during World War II. |
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1973 Nathaniel Wyeth patents what is today the most recycled plastic, PET (polyethylene terephthalate). |
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1986 California starts the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, and puts a deposit on aluminum cans and glass and plastic bottles. |
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1990 Millions of citizens worldwide participate in environmental events to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Earth Day. |
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1993 California celebrates the first Earth Day Conservation Fair. |
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1995 Americans recycle a record 47.5 billion soft drink containers, an increase of 500 million over previous year. |
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1998 . . . and Tomorrow Through recycling, more than one quarter of household waste is being diverted from landfills. And throughout California, recycling programs continue to grow! |