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even though the overal3 economy was stable. Since that time we have all done work together to build recycling into a massive grassroots movement, particularly here in Minnesota where over 75°/a of the people participate. Manufacturers are also much more on board and recognize the benefits of using recycled material in their process. WhaC we are experiencing in 2008 and early 2009 is an across the board, massive global slowdown in manufacturing and consumption which is temporarily driving down the def.n.and for the recyclable materials collected right along with all other materials and products throughout the econonry. Rather than rising and falling on a separate trend from the rest of the economy, recycling is now a full participant in the global economic market. This actually strengthens the recycling industry as it shows this industry is now depended on. by other larger nanufacturing bases. Roseville's quality materials make a big difference in this economy. The challenge for recycler in this economy is to continue to move materials to market. There are still plenty of markets out there that need quality materiali. e. mills that make the newspaper and magazines you still buy, mills that make the cereal box you used this morning, anal aluminum plants that are producing the soda can that sits on your table. These mills want to keep the supply system viable. Although the prices currently being paid for recycled material during the global economic downturn. are lower, recycling in Minnesota is still a $3.48 bil3.ion dollar industry that creates over 20,000 green collar jobs. It is a fact that companies still need our recyclables and there is still a tremendous environmental impact from our efforts. Eureka Recycling and the City of Roseville have carefully and thoughtfully designed th.e recycling program to share the risk and help weather these storms. Eureka Recycling has built strong partnerships with the end markets where all of the recyclable commodities are sold for manufacture into new products- During these economic times, these markets have acknowledged the superinr quality of materials collected in Roseville and other Eureka Recycling partner cities, and have rewarded this continued commitment to quality that is a haIh~~ark of Roseville's recycling program. Because the materials are of the highest quality available, Eureka Recycling is able to continue selling these materials to be recycled for their highest and best use. As partners dedicated to eliminating waste, the City of Roseville and Eureka Recycling can guarantee that the positive environmental and economic impacts of recycling will continue. For years, there has been a profit to be made from the materials we sell to recycling markets. If there is not a financial profit to be made from recycling, or even if we must start to pay a little to recycle, recycling is still cheaper than disposal and the environmental benefits are extraordinary. Recycling is one of the easiest, cheapest, and quickest ways to reduce our energy use. For example,. making a new aluminum can from old cans results in 90--97% energy savings compared to making a new can From bauxite anal other raw materials. The recycling industry also contributes in important ways to the econniiiy and is already a leader in the national movement to create new green jobs.