CRI Announces the Passing of Founder Pat Franklin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES – October 18, 2012 – The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) announces the untimely passing of its founder, Patricia F. Franklin, on October 14, 2012 in Morgantown, WV. Ms. Franklin was critically injured the day before when she was struck by a truck in Oakland, MD. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jay D. Franklin, two of her three children, and four grandchildren.

Born May 11, 1941, Pat Franklin grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and was a graduate of William and Mary College. She worked as a teacher and was a passionate environmentalist and civic activist who founded the Container Recycling Institute in 1991. Under Ms. Franklin’s leadership, CRI grew to become a leading international non-profit organization that continues to provide information, analysis and support of beverage container deposit laws and recycling programs. Ms. Franklin retired as CRI’s executive director in 2007, with confidence that CRI’s continuing efforts will help realize her vision of a nation that can one day achieve zero beverage container waste.

“Pat was not only a tireless activist herself, but she encouraged, educated and inspired countless others to work on advancing recycling. She was such a staunch advocate for container recycling, and made sure that stakeholders at all levels understood the importance of recycling to our environment and our communities,” said Susan V. Collins, President, Container Recycling Institute. “Pat’s early work at CRI laid the groundwork for many of our most important accomplishments, and she will truly be missed. Her exceptional leadership will continue to be felt in our work at CRI.”

Ms. Franklin had retired with husband Jay to homes in Fernandina Beach, FL and Deep Creek Lake, MD, where she continued to champion recycling and many other important causes.  

A memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 225 East Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia.  Private interment will occur on a later date at Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church.

Contributions in Pat Franklin’s memory may be made to either Flying Deer Nature Center, http://flyingdeernaturecenter.org/contact.html or the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation, http://www.melanomaresource.org/index.php/site/content/donatetothefoundation/

Hi-res photo download: PatPhoto1 PatPhoto2

Susan V. Collins, CRI President, (310) 559-7451, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.