Valencia-- Pardee Homes is celebrating Earth Day 2005 by participating in a month long recycling program aimed at reducing landfill, increasing the supply of scrap metal and helping students at Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary School earn money for their school.

Blue Barrel Disposal-Waste Management's "Total Trash Out" efforts focus on aluminum cans, which Pardee Homes will be collecting to benefit Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary School. Pardee Homes provided the school with special recycling containers to help with the program and to use throughout the year for ongoing recycling efforts. Jim Bizzelle, vice president of community development for the homebuilder's LA-Ventura Region, said the program is simple and should prove effective in a number of ways.

"The sooner kids learn they can make a difference, the better for all of us in every community," said Bizzelle. "The 'Total Trash Out' program demonstrates how much we all use aluminum cans, and how easy it is to get those cans into the recycling circuit, thanks to companies like Blue Barrel Disposal-Waste Management and school officials."

The four-week drive provides a fun and easy way for schools to raise money, according to Blue Barrel Disposal's Recycling Compliance Manager Amy Wiese, who added that all revenue derived from the drive is paid directly to each participating school. A $1.60 per pound redemption represents about 32 to 34 crushed cans, according to Blue Barrel. If each student collects 10 cans per day for four weeks, this will net the program $16.00 per student.

"This translates to $8,000 for a school with 500 students and full participation to reach 10 pounds per student," said Wiese. "This is a substantial reward for effort; and a great way to lighten the load on our landfills."

This is the third "Total Trash Out" in the Santa Clarita Valley. This year's goal is to recycle a grand total of 25,000 pounds and raise over $40,000 for local elementary schools. According to Bizzelle, the program has raised more than $48,000 for local schools since its inception.

"This is a win-win-win for the entire community," he said. "The kids have fun and earn money for their schools, we reduce landfill waste, and we help teach young people about the many benefits of recycling. Pardee Homes is delighted to help add to the success of Blue Barrel Disposal's 2005 "Total Trash Out® program." Blue Barrel Disposal has served the Santa Clarita Valley for nearly 40 years and specializes in commercial, industrial and residential service. Based in Saugus, the company places special emphasis on its support of local businesses and charities, through donation and participation.

As the nation's first multi-regional homebuilder to make a 100% commitment to ENERGY STAR compliance for all new homes, Pardee Homes is a leading proponent of energy-efficient and sustainable design. The company recently showcased these concepts by building a new home in Santa Fe Springs for ABC-TV's EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION.

Originally established in 1921, Pardee Homes maintains regional offices in Corona, Irvine, Pleasanton, Sacramento, San Diego, Valencia and Las Vegas. In the Santa Clarita Valley, Pardee Homes offers new and upcoming neighborhoods in the Fair Oaks Ranch master-planned community, including Mayfair and Woodglen.

Also planned for 2005 are new homes in Golden Valley, Pardee Homes' new master-planned community in the Santa Clarita Valley. Pardee Homes' new home choices address a spectrum of households, and the company places particular emphasis on master-planned settings that also include schools, parks and preserved open space.

Pardee Homes and its personnel devote time and resources to education and to a wide variety of youth and community service organizations. Special emphasis is on housing-related initiatives, such as HomeAid America, a national, non-profit organization devoted to quality housing for the temporarily homeless. Visit www.pardeehomes.com.