For Immediate Release: Nov. 15, 2011
DEP CELEBRATES AMERICA RECYCLES DAY
~America Recycles Day promotes reusing, recycling and composting~
TALLAHASSEE – In recognition of America Recycles Day, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) encourages Florida communities to reuse and recycle. Increasing recycling and the use of recycled products is an easy way for citizens and communities to reduce landfill space and prevent pollution from seeping into lands and waters.
“As Floridians, we are lucky to live among many of the most beautiful natural resources in the nation, and we all must play a role in protecting them,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “Recycling is an easy and effective way for each and every one of us to help protect our land, water and air for the future.”
Participating in America Recycles Day 2011 is one way citizens can help raise awareness about the need to reduce waste by reusing, recycling, composting, and buying recycled products to secure a healthier, more beautiful environment.
“There are many ways our communities can protect Florida’s environment by implementing recycling efforts in their cities, towns and neighborhoods,” said Jorge Caspary, director of DEP's Division of Waste Management. “Last year, more than 9,800 students and citizens pledged to become better environmental stewards at home, work and school, and we hope even more will support us this year.”
As part of America Recycles Day, events will be held statewide to promote and encourage recycling. Visit http://americarecyclesday.org/ to find an event near you.
In Tallahassee, DEP’s Easy As One Initiative will participate in the Solid Waste Spectacular, which includes a 5k Trash Dash and a 1-mile “recycling run” around and on the landfill at the Leon County Solid Waste Management Facility on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is sponsored by Sustainable Tallahassee and Leon County Recycling. DEP will also collect America Recycles Day pledges and cell phones (working and non-working). When folks make the pledge, they get to sign the freshly painted, hook-lift recycling bin, which reads: I pledged to recycle! Those who visit the Easy As One booth will receive a free day pass into a Florida state park (while supplies last).
Citizens statewide can help keep their communities clean by recycling every day. Here are steps to develop a recycling program:
- Evaluate your existing recycling program- Review your existing program to make certain that all materials that can be recycled are being collected and separated from regular garbage.
- Start a recycling program- Conduct a waste audit. The waste audit will help you identify which materials to collect for recycling, what size and type of container you will need and what waste could possibly be prevented in the first place.
- Contact your county recycling coordinator- Your local recycling coordinator will be able to provide you with specifics on what materials are accepted in the county program as well as a service provider’s contact information.
- Educate ALL participants- Announce the program, encourage and praise participation and follow-up via memo and newsletters as often as possible.
In addition, DEP, Recycle Florida Today, Creative Recycling Systems, Inc. and Publix Super Markets are sponsoring the eighth annual Florida K-12 Schools Recycling Pledge Card Contest, to reward the three Florida schools that submit the greatest number of pledges per capita. By participating in the contest, schools are encouraging recycling and competing for a chance to win a refurbished computer. For more information and to fill out a pledge card, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/recycling/AR/2010/ar10.htm.
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