MIAMI MARLINS KNOCK RECYCLING OUT OF THE PARK

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 30, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

MIAMI MARLINS KNOCK RECYCLING OUT OF THE PARK

~DEP's Recycling Recognition Program honors company for its 54.4-percent recycling rate~

Marlins

From left to right: Keyna Cory, Chuck Dees, Claude Delorme, Cliff Wilson, Jeff King and Jorge Caspary. 

MIAMI The Miami Marlins organization is being recognized for its impressive 54.4- percent recycling rate. Today the Florida Department of Environmental Protection recognized the team before the game.

DEP’s Deputy Secretary Cliff Wilson and Director of Division of Waste Management Jorge Caspary joined Miami Marlin’s V.P. of Facilities Jeff King and Executive Vice President of Operations and Events Claude Delorme, Florida Recycling Partnership Chair Chuck Dees and Executive Director Keyna Cory for a recognition ceremony on the field.

“I am pleased to recognize the Miami Marlins for its dedication to recycling and sustainability,” said DEP Deputy Secretary Cliff Wilson. Through its comprehensive sustainability program, the Miami Marlins saw the opportunity of a new ballpark as a chance to become better stewards to Florida’s environment. It is setting a great example for other large entertainment venues and sports franchises, not only in Florida but also across the nation.”

The Miami Marlins have implemented a comprehensive recycling plan that ensures plastics, metals, paper, cardboard and glass are recycled during events held at the venue. During the construction of the Miami Park District, the organization was able to divert or recycle more than 95 percent of the construction waste. The team was awarded Major League Baseball’s 2013 “Green Glove” award for the National League’s East Division. This award goes to the top teams that have the highest recycling rate in the league. The Miami Marlins is a member of the Florida Recycling Partnership, a coalition of businesses and associations dedicated to improving Florida’s recycling rates.

In addition to recycling practices, Marlins Park was designed with many aspects of sustainability in mind. From the energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems, to water use reductions, Marlins Park is the most sustainable facility in Major League Baseball.  It is the first professional sports facility in the world with a retractable roof to earn LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

“It is an honor for Marlins Park to receive this recognition,” said Claude Delorme, Marlins Executive Vice President of Operations and Events. “Our goal when we built this ballpark was to create a venue that best served the South Florida community, while being mindful of the environment. Moving forward, we aim to remain at the forefront of sustainability.”

The department recently released the 2013 municipal solid waste annual report, which reported Florida’s statewide recycling rate at 49 percent. In 2008, the Florida Legislature established a new statewide recycling goal of 75 percent to be achieved by 2020.

The Miami Marlins franchise is headquartered in Miami-Dade County, which ranks 18th in the state for total recycling in 2013 at 41 percent. With a recycling rate more than nine percent higher than the average commercial recycling rate for the state, the Miami Marlins are an excellent example for other Florida businesses. 

“On behalf of the Florida Recycling Partnership, we congratulate the Miami Marlins for receiving the Recycling Recognition Award. We need to encourage more businesses to step up to the plate and help Florida increase its recycling rates,” said Keyna Cory, executive director of the Florida Recycling Partnership.

Commercial municipal solid waste accounts for approximately 55 percent of the total municipal solid waste stream in Florida. In order for Florida to reach its 75-percent goal, the department is urging all sectors, especially the commercial sector, to actively increase its recycling efforts. According to the 2013 data, less than half of commercial waste is being recycled. It is crucial that businesses, schools and other commercial recyclers increase their recycling efforts. Recycling provides a direct cost savings to most businesses because the more that is recycled, the less waste that is generated and the lower the waste management operating costs. Reuse of materials can also represent a cost savings.

The department has an easy tool for companies to track their recycling efforts - the Florida DEP Business Recycling Tracking Tool. Through the website, which includes free registration, companies can track different types of recycling efforts and produce reports on how those efforts are helping to shrink their carbon footprint. The tracking will help the department to recognize companies that are doing more to go green. For more information about the Recycling Recognition Program click HERE.