Evergreen, CO, May 17, 2013:  Evergreen Animal Protective League www.eapl.com and Drive Smart  www.drive-smart.org are pleased to announce their 2nd Annual Barks & Belts 5K Walk/Run on June 2nd, 2013. We were thrilled with the attendance of vendors and especially racers for last year’s inaugural event, and this year promises to be even bigger and better. Come join us for a scenic run through Bergen Park followed by music, fun, pet contests, food, and libations. Vendors will be on hand to share their wares, handing out samples, swag and information. All proceeds for the event will go to two local non-profits: Drive Smart and Evergreen Animal Protective League.  These diverse and well-respected non-profit organizations do so much for the people and animals in our mountain community, so be sure to show your support and join us. For more information about the race, please visit the website at www.barksandbelts5k.org.

Bergen Village Shopping Center 1260 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen

Registration at www.runningguru.com Race Fee: $30 per person or family 4-pack for $100

Dogs running with humans are free – See you on race day!

The Evergreen Animal Protective League was organized in April, 1981, to aid lost, abandoned and suffering animals through rescue, shelter and education. The League has provided a better life for over 9,300 cats, dogs and other pets.

Drive Smart is dedicated to preventing traffic related fatalities and injuries. They accomplish this by developing solutions to transportation safety issues and changing driving attitudes and behaviors, in partnership with business, education, civic, community, and governmental agencies.

But why recycle car seats in the first place? Two main considerations are at work in this situation:

1. Car Seats Expire – Yes, car seats have expiration dates. Due to their exposure to extreme conditions (like heat and sun), the plastic from which they are constructed generally degrades in five to six years. All car seats have expiration date stickers on them.
2. Car Seats Can’t Be Used After Accidents – This is why car seat reuse isn’t a popular option, since potential buyers are often unsure if a seat has been in a collision, which could weaken the safety structures in the seat.

According to Angelica M. Baker, Phoenix Children’s Hospital Child Safety Passenger Specialist, “Garage sales and trash cans are not the answer to unwanted, old car seats – de-manufacturing and recycling is,” Baker explains. “This is the proper way to dispose of car seats. It’s important not to throw car seats in the dump. We have seen many cases where people will pull old car seats out of dumpsters or trash cans and use them.”

If you’re looking to get a car seat recycling program going in your community, you may have to do a bit of the “grunt” work. Disassembling car seats does require a little work, but it’s worthwhile. Not only will you help keep unsafe seats from being used, but you’ll prevent reusable materials like plastic and metal from being landfilled.