FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 17, 2017

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

DEP RECOGNIZES DESOTO TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR OUTSTANDING RECYCLING RATE

~DEP honors school for its 57-percent recycling rate~

From left to right: Angie Gruber, Desoto Trail Elementary School; Karen Moore, DEP recycling Program; DEP Secretary Jon Steverson; DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs
Ryan Matthews.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recognized Desoto Trail Elementary School for its outstanding recycling efforts in 2015, recycling
57 percent of its solid waste. DEP Secretary Jon Steverson presented the award at the Florida Capitol as part of the Florida Recycles Day celebration. 

"The department is proud to join the Florida Recycling Partnership to recognize the importance of recycling and celebrate the many organizations and industries that are helping Florida achieve our recycling goal," said Secretary Jon Steverson. "We’re also honored to present a Recycling Recognition Award to Desoto Trail Elementary School to celebrate their commitment to increasing recycling, decreasing waste and protecting Florida’s environment."

Desoto Trail Elementary has implemented several environmentally friendly practices throughout their everyday operations. Students participate in the "Share Table" initiative, a special lunch table designated for kids to place their unwanted, unopened food or beverages. The items are then available, and free, for other interested students, helping to eliminate food waste. Additionally, reusable water bottles are provided for all students and landscaping efforts are supplemented by fallen branches and trimmed trees, which are reused as mulch.

“Desoto Trail strives to manage its resources with as much care and thoughtfulness as possible. Taking care of our environment is a priority and a responsibility we take seriously," said Desoto Trail Elementary School Principal Michele Keltner. "By modeling and training our students now on how best to care for our environment, they will be better educated and prepared to continue their good habits of recycling in the future.” 

To help businesses increase recycling efficiency, the department has an easy tool to track recycling – the Florida DEP Business Recycling Tracking Tool. Through the website, companies can track various types of recycling and produce reports on how their efforts are helping to shrink their carbon footprint. The tracking tool helps the department identify companies that are making an effort to go green. 

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. Visit the department’s website at www.dep.state.fl.us.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/17e1079