News from New York State Thruway Authority

For more information contact: Public Affairs, 518-436-2983

Thruway Authority Provides Recycling Containers at All 27 Travel Plazas

ALBANY, NY (04/22/2008; 1315)(readMedia)-- The New York State Thruway Authority, as part of its continuing commitment to environmental stewardship and in recognition of Earth Day, has awarded a contract which has resulted in recycling containers now available at all 27 Thruway Travel Plazas across the Thruway System.

“This initiative is another example of the Authority’s commitment to protecting and promoting the environment on Earth Day and everyday,” said Michael R. Fleischer, Executive Director of the Thruway Authority. “The recycling bins allow Thruway travelers to ‘pitch in’ and help the environment by recycling glass, plastic, newspapers and aluminum containers.”

In August 2007, the Authority began placing clearly marked containers outside the main entrance at six of the busiest Travel Plazas. The containers are made from 100% recycled materials. The recently awarded contract provided for the installation of recycling containers at the 21 remaining Travel Plazas.

Each year, approximately 20 million motorists visit the Thruway Travel Plazas during their trips along the System. As part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to improve its customer service across the System, all 27 Travel Plazas now offer free Wireless Internet Service (Wi-Fi) to travelers as a convenient means to plan travel, research road conditions, check email and access internet applications. In addition, the Authority’s food concessionaires continue to offer motorists a wide variety of new food concepts to make their travels more enjoyable. At least one food concept at each Travel Plaza is required to be open 24 hours per day.

For a complete list of food concepts, amenities and locations of all 27 Thruway Travel Plazas, motorists are encouraged to visit the following link to the Authority’s website: http://www.nysthruway.gov/travelplazas/index.html

The Authority also participates in recycling programs for paper products, glass and plastics within the organization. On average, the Authority recycles between 2,500 to 3,000 tons of material annually. This material includes paper, cardboard, glass, returnable containers and plastic. In addition, programs are in place to allow for the sale of recyclable materials, such as tires, scrap metal, auto batteries, oil, anti-freeze and asphalt used in paving projects. Moreover, as a standard practice, the Authority purchases products made with recycled materials, including paper, tissues, plastic materials, re-manufactured office equipment and recycled motor oils.

For more information on these programs and the Authority’s commitment to environmental stewardship, please visit: www.nysthruway.gov/environmental .

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The Authority offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major unscheduled incidents that may affect their travel on the Thruway. To sign up for the TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Authority’s website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.