"Approximately 72 percent of the waste currently being landfilled or incinerated consists of materials that could be put to higher and better use
through recycling or composting. Most of this material is office paper, cardboard, non-recyclable paper, and food waste."
Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
Debbie Levin
Biography
In the "green movement", Debbie Levin is regarded as a true thought-leader, merging environmental awareness with entertainment platforms and people. As president of the Environmental Media Association (EMA), Levin works to garner attention for pressing environmental issues by leveraging the power and visibility of television/film and celebrities through various initiatives.
Upon first meeting EMA founder Norman Lear at the 9th Annual Environmental Media Awards luncheon, Levin was instantly attracted to Lear’s unique mission and approach.
With a newly found enthusiasm and interest in the cause, she was appointed President of the EMA in February of 2000.
Since becoming President, Levin has reenergized the venerable organization, transforming it into a marketer of eco-healthy messages and a magnet for young Hollywood, specifically engaging this new generation of celebrity on a deeper level to share the message of environmental awareness. Possessing deep relationships in the entertainment industry, Levin has assembled a Board of Directors with notable Hollywood players such as Alan Horn (Warner Bros.), Kevin Reilly (Fox) and Lauren Zalaznick (Bravo) and recently created a Young Hollywood Board comprised of celebrities such as Amy Smart, Rosario Dawson, Maria Menounos and Nicole Richie.
Levin has also grown The Environmental Media Awards into a prestigious annual event and has forged partnerships with the likes of BP America, Waste Management, O Organics, Silk, Tiffany & Co., Earthbound Farm and Toyota (Fortune magazine has called EMA a "secret weapon" for Toyota/Lexus, crediting the organization and Levin as "single-handedly responsible for getting droves of celebrities into Toyota hybrids".)
Ever evolving, EMA has recently launched several exciting new programs and partnerships including a national cell phone recycling campaign and an organic gardens program with the Los Angeles Unified School District to support organic gardens and greenery in urban schools across Los Angeles. EMA will directly support a number of school gardens through funding and celebrity mentoring.
Levin obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and currently resides in Los Angeles. Clearly having instilled ‘green values’ in her family as well, her daughter Alexx is soon to launch a high-end organic fashion line.
