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Clewiston Residents Heighten Recycle Efforts

Clewiston’s Public Works director calls on residents to recycle

CLEWISTON — “We come up with every excuse in the book not to do something,” said Clewiston’s Public Works Director Sean Scheffler.

That statement rings true for many things — exercising, eating healthy, finishing the home improvements that were started last year and never completed. But besides those resolution-worthy “somethings,” Scheffler hopes the residents of Hendry County will take on recycling as their next “to do.”
The city of Clewiston has been working hard to make recycling as easy as possible for residents. Though curb-side pickup is a thing of the future for residents within the city limits, the city of Clewiston offers two recycling centers on E. Esperanza Avenue and S. Olympia Street.The city has also introduced “single-stream recycling,” meaning residents no longer have to sort through their recycling; glass bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard, paper and plastic can all be thrown in the same bin, both at home and at the recycling centers. Though many of the city’s recycling bins say “plastics only” or “cardboard only” they are all mixed recycling bins. The same applies to the glass recycling bins: residents can choose to sort the glass by color and put it in the separate bin, or put it together in the mixed recycling bin.
Scheffler also explained that residents do not need to worry whether, for example, a plastic container has a recycling symbol on the bottom, or whether that symbol carries a number 1, 2 or 6. It can all be recycled, said Scheffler, no matter the number and no matter the symbol.
Though efforts to make recycling simpler and more convenient for city residents have been made, Scheffler said a change in attitude and habit is necessary to make recycling part of everyone’s daily routine.
“Recycling is something parents need to do so small children see it as a way of life,” said Scheffler. “We need to start developing a thought process in our children.”
Scheffler gave the example of seat belts in cars and trucks. When he was in elementary school, Scheffler said there were no seat belts in cars; and when every car finally came equipped with seat belts, it was not mandatory to wear them, therefore, people often did not. After years of pushing to mandate the use of seat belts and a change in the attitude of drivers and passengers, it is second nature to “click it” when they get in the car.
Scheffler believes recycling will work the same way.
“We can reduce by 80 percent the amount of solid waste sent to our landfills by recycling,” said Scheffler.
Scheffler also offered suggestions to make recycling easier for families. Batteries, for example, are abundant in everyone’s home and are usually thrown out without another thought. Scheffler suggests keeping a sturdy bucket underneath the kitchen sink or near the washing machine (or any place that is convenient for the family) and putting the batteries in the bucket when they die. Once the bucket becomes full, simply call the county to set up a time to bring the batteries to the household recycling center.
By Melissa Beltz
The Clewiston News
Updated January 23, 2014
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AMERICA RECYCLES DAY – Nov 15

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Keep America Beautiful is encouraging people to give their garbage another life on America Recycles Day, which is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15.

The average American produces 4.4 pounds of trash in a single day, and yet Americans recycle only 35 percent of this country’s waste. America Recycles Day encourages people to recycle more at home, at work and on the go.

“Through our education programs and collection events taking place in communities across the country, Keep America Beautiful, its affiliate network and partners are raising awareness about what is recyclable and what material can become when recycled and given a new life,” said Brenda Pulley, senior vice president, recycling at Keep America Beautiful.

You can take the “I Recycle” Pledge today at americarecyclesday.org and tell us what you pledge to recycle more. Ten people who make a pledge will win a park bench made from recycled content.

Keep America Beautiful is providing resources and supporting activities to thousands of grassroots events across the country. On Nov. 12, Keep America Beautiful will conduct a “Get Caught Recycling” event on the National Mall and in downtown Washington, D.C., with 80 Mars, Incorporated Associate volunteers. Volunteers will “catch” people using the recycling bins placed on the National Mall and around the Downtown DC Business improvement District and invite those to take the “I Recycle” pledge.

Source:  http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1578717
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How It Works: Inside The Machine That Separates Your Recyclables
Moving paper away from plastic so you don’t have to!

By Katie Peek

The most annoying aspect of recycling—and one of the biggest hurdles to its widespread adoption—is having to separate paper, glass, and plastic before they hit the curb. New recycling machines are changing that. With single-stream recycling, recyclables go into one bin, which a truck delivers to a materials-recovery facility. There, a largely automated system of conveyor belts, screens, magnets, and lasers separates materials so that they can be sold to metal and plastic recyclers and paper mills.

Of the 570 recycling facilities in the U.S., 240 now have single-stream operations, according to Eileen Berenyi, of the solid-waste research-and-consulting firm Governmental Advisory Associates. While the system isn’t perfect—its high-speed operation can lead to contamination from broken glass—the simplicity of it means households actually recycle more. “If people want a higher recycling rate, it has to be convenient,” says Chaz Miller, of the National Solid Wastes Management Association. “And I think the technology is only going to improve.”

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Recycling at Auburn University

Auburn University students recycled more than 15 tons of cardboard after unpacking their belongings into dormitories during Move-In Mania 2013 at the Alabama campus.

Eighteen trash and recycling stations were set up throughout the four housing areas to make it easier for students to dispose of trash, divert recyclables from landfills, and do their part to conserve resources.

“A simple way for residents to reduce their environmental impact is to recycle,” Virginia Koch, the director of residence life, said in a statement. “This year students really demonstrated their commitment by recycling over 30,000 pounds of cardboard during move-in.”

The National Retail Federation says families are spending an average of $836.83 this year on back-to-college supplies and electronics, clothing and shoes. Many of the items come in cardboard boxes.

In addition to cardboard, Auburn University’s recycling program accepts mixed paper, No. 1 and No. 2 plastic bottles, and aluminum and steel cans.

In all, during Move-In Mania, more than 77 tons of material was collected and 20 percent was recycled.

Source:  http://www.wasterecyclingnews.com/
September 5, 2013
By Catherine Kavanaugh

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Changes in Coral Springs, FL

New recycling options for Coral Springs residents

July 14, 2013

CORAL SPRINGS — It is easier now to go green in Coral Springs.  Effective immediately, residents can now recycle plastic, glass bottles and jars in all colors, tin, and vegetable and soup cans. That’s in addition to the traditional recyclable items of newspapers and inserts, soda cans and corrugated cardboard like clean pizza boxes.  In January, residents will get new 65-gallon carts for recyclables.

“Recycling allows us to keep materials such as glass, plastic, aluminum cans, juice cartons and newspaper out of the waste stream and to use these items to produce new products rather than harvest raw materials,” Public Works Director Rich Michaud said in a statement.

For information, call Public Works at 954-344-1165.

SOURCE: By Lisa J. Huriash, Staff Writer Sun Sentinel

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Fort Pierce’s New Easy Recycling Program

Under the city’s new recycling program, about 5,000 carts are being distributed to households to expand recycling capabilities for cardboard, newspapers, paper cartons, plastic bottles, plastic containers, aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars.

City of Fort Pierce Begins Single-Stream Cart Recycling with Grand Opening of Waste Management’s New Facility

 
 

Approximately 5,000, 64-gallon blue carts on wheels are currently being delivered to Fort Pierce households to expand recycling capacity and collection at the new facility. The Waste Management Fort Pierce Transfer Station can accept up to 150 tons of municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris, recyclables and bulk materials for sorting and transfer.

“Our new cart recycling program gives residents expanded capacity to recycle more household items, keeping trash out of our landfills and improving the environment,” said Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson. “The City of Fort Pierce is pleased to mark this expanded recycling program as well as the opening of the new transfer station. Residents currently recycle about 15% of their waste and our goal is to increase that to 45% with the new carts,” added Hudson.

Fort Pierce residents can put all recyclables into the blue carts including cardboard, newspapers, mixed paper, boxboard and paper cartons, plastic bottles and containers, steel and aluminum cans, and glass bottles and jars. Remaining waste will be transported to Waste Management’s Okeechobee Landfill for disposal.

News Release
City of Fort Pierce 

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Plastic rings should be recycled or cut up

Great Advise for all on recycling.  Heloise answers letters only in her King Features Syndicate column. Here is her submission to http://www.dispatch.com.

Dear Readers: Did you know that, in 1989, federal law required that the plastic six-pack beverage rings be 100 percent photodegradable? In other words, sunlight should break down the plastic into small pieces over time (about 60 to 120 days, depending on the season and weather conditions). But that depends on where you live and whether the plastic is fully exposed to sun and heat. If it is buried in the landfill, I don’t think it will deteriorate in two months or less.

It is always better to recycle the plastic rings or cut them into pieces before depositing them in the trash. This prevents small birds and animals from getting caught in them and either becoming seriously injured or dying. Continue reading “Plastic rings should be recycled or cut up”

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Largo launches high-tech recycling bins

LARGO — Is Big Brother going to be snooping on your garbage?

Probably not, but Largo residents will soon get new recycling bins that will have microchips embedded in them. This will allow the city to keep track of where the bins are and whether they’re being used — or not being used.

That practice has caused controversy in places like Cleveland, where these devices enable officials to issue $100 fines to Clevelanders who don’t recycle enough of their trash.

However, the high-tech recycling carts caused no controversy when they were recently introduced in Tampa and Hillsborough County. There are no fines involved, and officials talk of using the microchips merely as a tool to improve customer service. Continue reading “Largo launches high-tech recycling bins”

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State Recycling Goal

State goal is to recycle or compost 75 percent of waste by 2020

By BRIAN HUGHES / News Bulletin
Published: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 

CRESTVIEW — For north Okaloosa County, recycling waste helps the environment and the economy, according to waste managers.

Saving money
“Small businesses say, ‘How can you save me money?'” Waste Management District Manager Domenica Farmer said April 10 during the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Government Issues Committee meeting.

The answer is simple: recycle.

It costs $20 per ton to recycle, versus $50 per ton to put everything in the trash, Farmer said. Maintaining a landfill costs three or four times as much as single-stream recycling, she said.

“A little bit of effort on their part, and education of employees,” can pull many recyclables from the waste stream, reducing the frequency and cost of emptying businesses’ trash bins, Farmer said. Continue reading “State Recycling Goal”

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FSU improves campus recycling

Waste audit reveals 9% decrease in recyclables thrown away

Resembling hazmat workers in stark white biohazard suits, durable gloves and safety goggles, environmentally conscious students sorted mountains of garbage to determine the efficacy of Florida State’s current recycling programs. While there was a risk of encountering glass shards and the stray roach or slug, the real hazardous material was student apathy.

“Our waste is something that people don’t think enough about,” volunteer Prathyusha Pamidi said. “We’re so disconnected from it that we don’t realize how much we’re producing, where it’s going, and the lifecycle of the materials used.”

Members from FSU’s Environmental Service Program (ESP), Sustainable Campus and volunteers from the student body participated in ESP’s waste audit on April 12, as pools of brown liquid, much of it residual coffee, colored the blue tarp under foot. Continue reading “FSU improves campus recycling”