Photo Release -- AERT Salutes Associate Steve Everett, Recipient of Americankids Inc. Hero Award

SPRINGDALE, Ark., July 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:AERT), a leading plastic recycler and manufacturer of Green building products, announced today that its inside Sales Manager, Steve Everett, received the Americankids Hero Award from the city of Branson, Missouri for rescuing a six year old girl from drowning. Steve was on vacation with his family in Branson recently when, while relaxing on his balcony overlooking the hotel pool, he recognized a young girl floundering in deep water. Steve quickly made his way down to the pool but by the time he arrived, the young girl had descended to the bottom. Fully dressed, he dove into the pool and rescued the six year old girl, saving her life.

AERT Salutes Associate Steve Everett, Recipient of Americankids Inc. Hero Award

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6437

Commenting on the event, AERT CEO Joe Brooks stated, "We are proud of our AERT associates and honored to have Steve on our team. His dedication, humility, and compassion for others is clearly evident in everything he does."

About Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc.

Since 1989, AERT (Nasdaq:AERT) has pioneered the use of recycled polyethylene plastic in the manufacture of composite building materials. With its constantly evolving portfolio of patented and proprietary recycling technologies, AERT has been widely recognized as a leader in resource conservation innovation and received the EPA Award for Environmental Excellence for its process of converting scrap plastic to composite outdoor decking. AERT converts reclaimed plastic and wood fiber waste into quality outdoor decking systems, fence systems, and door and window components. The Company is the exclusive manufacturer of Weyerhaeuser ChoiceDek(r) decking, which is available in multiple colors and is sold in all Lowe's Home Improvement stores. See http://www.choicedek.com for more information. AERT's MoistureShield(r) decking program is expanding and products are available in many parts of the U.S. now, with national distribution planned for 2009. See http://www.moistureshield.com for product information or to find a regional distributor or dealer. AERT operates manufacturing facilities in Springdale and Lowell, with a raw materials facility in Junction, Texas and a state-of-the-art recycling facility under construction in Watts, Oklahoma. For more information on the Company, visit http://www.aertinc.com.

The AERT, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4905

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.

CONTACT:  Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc.
          Investor Relations
          Katy Reagan
          479-203-5077