The Recycle Guys public education campaign, born in South Carolina, began in January 1997 with the premiere of three public service announcements (PSAs) throughout the state. Now, 20-plus spots and thousands of television appearances later, the Guys are singing, dancing and educating the public around the country including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Indiana!
The Guys began their career in 1992 as the silent logo of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control's (DHEC) Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling. That all changed when they made their television debut in 1997 to the tune of Aretha Franklin’s all-time classic “Respect.” But instead of R-E-S-P-E-C-T, the Guys encouraged everyone to R-E-C-Y-C-L-E.
Today, the Guys now star in more than 20 public service announcements, reminding everyone to recycle, recycle used oil, buy recycled, and compost. The Recycle Guys also remind people to observe Earth Day and America Recycles Day. In addition, the Guys now speak Spanish in three public service announcements. With energy conservation, runoff pollution and ozone awareness spots being added the Recycle Guys are a comprehensive environmental awareness campaign.
DHEC's Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling has partnered with other state environmental agencies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IV and America Recycles Day, Inc. and granted permission to adopt the Office's national award-winning campaign. For more information about these partnerships, please call 1-800-768-7348. And remember, "R-E-C-Y-C-L-E... it begins with you and me!"
Recycle Guys Audio & Video Archive
Video PSAs
Check out the Recycle Guys Indiana PSAs. They should not be copied or reprinted without prior permission from IDEM. Please contact the education coordinator for more information regarding the artwork.
"The Recyclables" Audio Adventures
- Episode 1: The Leftover Gang (Special Edition) [MP3]
- Episode 2: The Paper Gang (Special Edition) [MP3]
- Episode 3: The Mold Patrol [MP3]
- Episode 4: The Smog Squad [MP3]
- Episode 5: More Trouble at the State Fair [MP3]
Recycles Guys Prints & More
Now you can print out your own, full color Recycle Guys posters, bookmarks, and trading cards. Posters are 10" x 13", so you will need a printer that can print that large (although they can be scaled down to print at smaller sizes). You will also need a responsible adult to help you trim off any excess paper from the edges.
Posters
- 500 Ways to Recycle Poster [PDF]
- Don't be Cruel! RECYCLE Poster [PDF]
- Liberty for Your Recyclables Poster [PDF]
- One Small Step Poster [PDF]
- Rescuers of the Lost Recyclables Poster [PDF]
- Score Big by Recycling! Poster [PDF]
- Star Recyclers Poster [PDF]
- Uncle Can Wants You! Poster [PDF]
- Wanted, for Recycling Poster [PDF]
- Zowie, Bat-Can! Someone didn't recycle! Poster [PDF]
Bookmarks
- 500 Ways to Recycle Bookmark [PDF]
- American Compost Bookmark [PDF]
- Liberty for Your Recyclables Bookmark [PDF]
- Mount Recyclemore Bookmark [PDF]
- One Small Step Bookmark [PDF]
- Recycling: The Patriotic Thing to Do! Bookmark [PDF]
- Score Big by Recycling! Bookmark [PDF]
- Star Recyclers Bookmark [PDF]
- Wanted for Recycling #1 Bookmark [PDF]
- Wanted for Recycling #2 Bookmark [PDF]
- Wanted for Recycling #3 Bookmark [PDF]
- We Can Recycle It! Bookmark [PDF]
Trading Cards
- Milk Jug Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Newspaper Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Battery Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Plastic Bottle Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Tire Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Dottie Bottle Trading Card [PDF]
- Can Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Letter Lady Trading Card [PDF]
- Splash Trading Card [PDF]
- Motor Oil Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Steel Can Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Compost Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- E2 Trading Card [PDF]
- Clean Air Kid Trading Card [PDF]
- Paper Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Backpack Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Binny Trading Card [PDF]
- Box Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- Thermometer Guy Trading Card [PDF]
- The Recycle Guys Trading Card [PDF]