FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 11, 2017
DEP CELEBRATES FLORIDA RECYCLES DAY WITH RECYCLING RECOGNITION AWARDS
~Recipients recognized for recycling efforts~
 From left to right: Angie Gruber, Desoto Trail Elementry School; Carissa Agnese, Skanksa USA Civil Southeast Inc.; Karen Moore, DEP recycling program; DEP Secretary Jon Steverson; DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs Ryan Matthews; and Julie Edwards, Northrop Grumman Corporation.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection today presented Recycling Recognition awards to three organizations, recognizing their outstanding reuse efforts and commitment to Florida's environment and recycling goals. The awards were presented by DEP Secretary Jon Steverson at the Florida Capitol during 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
Recycling Recognition Awards to these three organizations to celebrate their
commitment to increasing recycling, decreasing waste and protecting Florida’s
environment."
Desoto Trail Elementary School, Northrop Grumman Corporation and Skanska USA Civil Southeast Inc. were all recognized for their recycling efforts and commitment to Florida's environment. Each organization actively recycled more than 50 percent of its total solid waste in 2015 through various innovative practices.
“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.”
"Northrop Grumman is committed to environmental sustainability, and we pride ourselves on conserving natural resources and demonstrating environmental stewardship within St. Johns County," said St. Augustine greeNG Program Lead Julie Edwards. "Today’s recognition results from an employee team effort whose participation enabled the St. Augustine facility to surpass previous waste diversion rates."
“Skanska’s commitment to the environment by
being a leader in the industry and going above and beyond environmentally on
all our projects and facilities is not only a benefit to the environment, it is
a benefit to our community and business," said Senior VP Operations/General Manager Civil SE Bob Rose. "Our goal is to leave the environment
related to our completed projects in better standing than when we break ground.”
Florida Recycles Day celebrates the statewide determination of businesses and residents to ensure recycling is a top priority throughout daily life. Hosted by Florida Recycling Partnership, stakeholders such as Recycle Florida Today, Keep Florida Beautiful and the Southern Waste Information Exchange were in attendance, in addition to representatives from Publix and the Florida Beverage Association.
In 2015, Florida recycled 13.8 million tons of
municipal solid waste, helping to increase the statewide overall recycling rate to 54 percent. In order for Florida to reach 75 percent by 2020, a goal established by the Florida Legislature in 2008, the department is urging all sectors, especially the commercial sector, to actively increase recycling efforts.
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.
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