11.08.2007 - 09:10am ET

(CSRwire) STAMFORD, CT - November 8, 2007 - Eighteen Keep America Beautiful affiliates will share $180,000 in cash grants from the Waste Management Charitable Foundation and Waste Management, Inc. The Waste Management Think Green(R) Community Improvement Grants are part of a nationwide effort that encourages local solutions to improving community environments.

Waste Management through the Waste Management Charitable Foundation is partnering with Keep America Beautiful (KAB) for the second year of the "Think Green" grants program. More than 570 local KAB affiliates were challenged to present proposals for ambitious projects representing a wide array of stewardship, community outreach and educational projects. Eighteen recipients were chosen from a nationwide field of 85 entries, and will each receive $10,000 awards to bring their proposals to fruition.

"The ambitious work of KAB's affiliate organizations demonstrates our mission to engage individuals in taking greater responsibility for improving their community environments," said G. Raymond Empson, president of Keep America Beautiful. "We look forward to seeing the 18 projects come to fruition thanks to the generosity of Waste Management's grant."

The wide range of programs reflect the diverse interests and needs of the communities involved, and include projects that promote recycling, engage school children in litter prevention and composting, support local beautification efforts with community gardens and green spaces, and revitalize neighborhoods through graffiti eradication.

Waste Management and the WM Charitable Foundation also partner with KAB on different programs, which include additional community beautification grants (target/showcase) and as a National Sponsor for Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup, the nation’s largest community improvement program.

Waste Management 2007 “Think Green” Grant Recipients

Keep Atlanta Beautiful, Atlanta, Ga.
Keep Cenla Beautiful, Alexandria, La.
Keep Columbus Beautiful, Columbus, Ohio
Keep Delaware County Beautiful, Delaware, Ohio
Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, Milwaukee, Wis.
Keep Hot Springs Beautiful, Hot Springs, Ark.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Indianapolis, Ind.
Keep Iowa Beautiful, Des Moines, Iowa
Keep Jackson Beautiful, Jackson, Tenn.
Keep Kansas City Beautiful, Kansas City, Mo.
Keep Las Cruces Beautiful, Las Cruces, N.M.
Keep Martin Beautiful, Palm City, Fla.
Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful/Lehigh Valley, Harrisburg, Pa.
Keep Roane Beautiful, Harriman, Tenn.
Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, Truckee Meadows, Nev.
Keep Tupelo Beautiful, Tupelo, Miss.
Shreveport Green, Shreveport, La.

About Waste Management Charitable Foundation

Waste Management Charitable Foundation has been established by Waste Management, Inc. to support public charities throughout the United States. Waste Management, Inc. is the leading provider of comprehensive waste and environmental services in North America. For more information about Waste Management, go to www.wm.com.

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. This national nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. For additional information, visit www.kab.org.

For more information please contact: