EcoJam will be a celebration of conservation on Earth Day

Angela Soo

Friday, April 20, 2001 | 3:25 a.m.

Clark County residents will get a chance to join the international observance of Earth Day at today's fourth annual Eco-Jam.

"The goal is to increase environmental awareness, environmental education and to create an atmosphere where children can learn about the environment in a fun way," said Candy Rutledge, of the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department.

This year's event will be from 10-4 p.m. at the Silver Bowl Park, next to the Sam Boyd Stadium. EcoJam will draw an estimated 6,000 people. Some of the featured attractions include live entertainment by local bands and a pet adoption booth.

Another Earth Day activity, which will take place until Sunday, is AAA's Great Battery Roundup. Residents may turn in their old car or boat batteries to Auto Guardian, 3550 E. Post Road, Suite 700, at Sunset and Pecos roads.

"AAA came up with the idea to recycle these highly toxic batteries because of the dangers the batteries cause when lurking around in peoples' back yards," Bronwyn Hogan, spokeswoman for AAA, said.

Car batteries are almost 99 percent recyclable, Hogan said.

In addition to recycling old batteries, residents may also show their support for environmental preservation by recycling their glass, aluminum and plastic materials.

Clark County's recycling rate experienced a drop from 1997 through 1999, according to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. In 1997 the rate was 12.8 percent, falling to 8.3 percent in 1999.

The decline may be attributed to a "lack of convenient recycling services," according to state division's website.

Residents living in a multifamily or apartment complex do not have curb-side services available to them. They must bring their recyclables to a drop-off location. Recycling coordinators are working on more accessible ways for people to recycle.

State recycling coordinator David Friedman offered a suggestion about how the community can show support for the environment.

"People can participate in curb-side recycling better than they already do," he said.