AMERICA RECYCLES SUCCESS

[Anonymous]

America Recycles Success
The
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as well as
officials from various state and local agencies celebrated America
Recycles Day 2006 at the State Capital Circle Office Center.
The
annual event encourages Floridians to conserve natural resources,
strengthen local economies and create jobs by making a commitment to
recycling and purchasing recycled products. “Waste reduction is not
only vital to the sustainability of Florida’s natural resources, it
also makes economic sense,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille,
“Florida is home to nearly 3,700 recycling and reuse companies,
employing 32,000 people and creating an annual payroll of $765 million
and $4.4 billion in annual revenues.”Exhibits and activities at the
event highlighted the principles of recycling, reusing and reducing
waste. Participants competed in “Junk Yard Art” and kid’s recycling
contests, and enjoyed papermaking and recycling bingo.Others delivered
hardbound books, printer and toner cartridges, cell phones,
rechargeable batteries and compact discs for recycling. In addition,
DEP, the City of Tallahassee, Leon County and the Florida Department of
Management Services provided information and displays for
visitors.During the past several months, recycling in Florida has
reduced the amount of waste disposed in landfills. The commitment of
state employees has resulted in the recycling of almost 626.3 tons of
office paper in the Tallahassee state-owned buildings alone during the
months of January to September 2006, the equivalent to saving 10,647
trees and 5,634 cubic feet of landfill space. America Recycles Day
highlights the importance of protecting the nation’s natural resources
and reminds Americans responsibilities as environmental stewards. Last
year, nearly 200,000 Americans took the America Recycles Day pledge to
prevent and reduce waste. 

[Author]

November 30, 2006 at 12:02 PM