TALLAHASSEE – With the holiday shopping season now upon us, the Department is urging all Floridians to recycle old electronics, keeping them out of landfills and protecting Florida’s natural resources.

“Recycling televisions and other electronics allows for the recovery of electronic components that contain lead and other toxic materials,” said Mary Jean Yon, DEP’s Director of Waste Management. “Recycling is good for the environment and the reuse of resources makes good economic sense.”

With the downturn in the economy, electronic retailers are launching their “Black Friday” events earlier this year to motivate budget-conscious buyers. In addition, the deadline for television stations to switch from an analog signal to a digital signal is February 17, 2009. Consumers with older televisions that do not have a digital tuner must either purchase a new television with a digital tuner or a converter box for their analog television. Television consumers who subscribe to cable or satellite will have the conversion through their own cable TV boxes and will not be affected.

With the deadline quickly approaching, just 85 days away, a high number of televisions could be sold this holiday season leaving old sets on the curb. To prevent an influx of electronic waste in Florida’s landfills, DEP is encouraging consumers to look for ways to recycle unwanted televisions. There are many options to recycle unwanted televisions at no cost to most consumers; including:

• Keep old televisions for games, videos or DVDs.

• Donate working televisions to a charitable organization or give them to a friend.

• Offer televisions through a local Freecycle group at http://www.freecycle.org.

• Recycle it!

Televisions and other electronic items that are broken or can no longer be used can still be recycled in an environmentally-friendly manner. To make it easier for Floridians to recycle old electronics, DEP has produced an interactive web-based map that enables citizens to find out where to recycle with just one click.

DEP’s electronics recycling web site also links to a frequently asked questions page that explains what the television broadcast signal conversion is, how to tell whether your television is “digital-ready” and how to get a $40 coupon from the Federal government towards the purchase of a digital-to-analog converter box. To use DEP’s interactive electronics recycling map, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/electronics/
pages/televisions.htm

DEP encourages consumers purchasing a new television to consider buying one that conserves energy. ENERGY STAR® qualified televisions use about 30 percent less electricity than standard units, saving both energy and money on utility bills. For more information on ENERGY STAR® televisions, visit http://www.energystar.gov/.

For more information on recycling electronics, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/electronics/default.htm.

To increase recycling throughout Florida, this summer Governor Charlie Crist signed the Energy, Climate Change, and Economic Security Act of 2008 into law which establishes a new statewide recycling goal of 75 percent to be achieved by 2020. Within the law, DEP is directed to develop a program to achieve this goal and submit it to the Florida Legislature for consideration by January 1, 2010. For more information on the new statewide recycling goal of 75 percent, and to share your comments on ways to achieve this goal and view comments from others on our web-based forum, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/recyclinggoal75/.

JACKSONVILLE - The Department’s Northeast District Office hosted a workshop last Friday for members of the Florida Marine Contractors Association (FMCA) and local environmental consultants. The workshop is the first in a series of workshops to marine contractors. The workshop, which is offered at no-cost, provides an accessible forum in which attendees can easily obtain information about Department rules, project requirements and expectations as well as the permitting process associated with the DEP’s Submerged Lands and Environmental Resource Permitting (SLERP) program.

The SLERP program regulates activities in wetlands, such as construction dredging and filling. The program also regulates stormwater and surface water management systems in uplands which can prevent flooding and provide other environmental functions. Among other activities, this covers the construction of seawalls, installation of riprap and other shoreline stabilization structures to protect Florida’s fragile waterways, the beach and dune system, and upland property along the shoreline. Additionally, the state owns the submerged lands on which many of these structures are built. Therefore, prior to construction, permits from DEP to build a seawall or install riprap, as well as authorization from DEP to use the state’s submerged lands may be necessary.

“We are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and saving taxpayer money – the workshop is an example of that commitment,” said DEP Northeast District Director Greg Strong. “Quite simply, our goal with this is to continue to assist the contractors in finding innovative and environmentally beneficial solutions, such as natural shorelines, for their projects.”

The Department believes that educating and assisting the industry about the SLERP program will increase environmental compliance and protection in this important area. This workshop will help marine contractors and consultants who assist property owners through the permitting process. This will reduce processing time by minimizing the need for additional information, thus making the permitting process quicker, more effective and efficient, ultimately saving the property owner time and money. Objectives of the initiative include:

• Providing updates on rules and regulations and other useful information;
• Improving the level of understanding regarding various environmental issues;
• Enhancing communications between our office and the industry; and
• Developing a partnership with the FMCA.

For more information about DEP’s Compliance Assistance Program, and the dates, locations and registration information for the workshops, visit: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/northeast/.

TALLAHASSEE – The Department’s Florida Park Service was recognized last Friday with two awards from Volunteer Florida’s Inclusion Council for engaging volunteers of all abilities in its volunteer and AmeriCoprs programs.

“We are very grateful to be recognized by Volunteer Florida for inclusion practices within the park service’s volunteer programs,” said Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock. “Working alongside park staff, volunteers play a significant role in achieving the mission of the Florida Park Service and it is important that people from all walks of life are included in the many volunteer opportunities state parks offer.”

Volunteer Florida presented two awards to Florida State Parks:

• The first award was given to the AmeriCorps program in recognition of exemplary efforts to include persons with disabilities in national and volunteer service. The Florida Park Service AmeriCorps program works to serve and strengthen Florida’s natural and cultural resources by addressing critical environmental and human needs.

• The second award was presented to the Florida Park Service’s volunteer program for its performance on the “Better Communities Include Everyone” survey. This survey was distributed in April by Volunteer Florida to assess the practices of volunteer organizations across the state. Organizations were surveyed on outreach, recruitment, inclusion, engagement and retention of volunteers with disabilities. Florida’s state parks scored the highest on all survey criteria out of all the submissions received by Volunteer Florida.

“I congratulate Florida State Parks for their commitment to including persons with disabilities in volunteer service activities,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Wendy Spencer. “The environment is a priority for Governor Crist, and everyone can contribute to preserving and restoring Florida’s natural treasures.”

Volunteers are crucial to achieving the mission of the Florida Park Service. Last year alone, park volunteers contributed a record of almost 1.2 million hours of work to the state valued at $22.5 million. This record represents an increase of more than 121,000 hours from the 2006-2007 fiscal year.

More than 6,000 park volunteers also help maintain the natural beauty of Florida's beaches, waterways and trails. Volunteers contribute in a variety of ways participating as interpreters, educators, tour guides, greeters, landscape artists, and wildlife and resource custodians. The work of Florida’s park volunteers is equivalent to 555 full-time employment positions which is more than half the size of the state park’s present workforce.

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks spanning almost 700,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. Florida’s state parks offer year-around outdoor activities for all ages including: swimming and diving in Florida’s rivers and springs, bird watching, fishing, hiking and walking on natural scenic trails.

Battle re-enactments and Native American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage. Florida’s state parks are also home to the 2008 Best Beach in the nation. Caladesi Island State Park, located off the coast of Southwest Florida in Pinellas County, was honored with this coveted award.

For more information about Florida State Parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org.

TALLAHASSEE – The Department recently designated 36 properties in the Florida Green Lodging Program, including recognizing the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center with a Two Palm designation for its continuing and increased energy conservation and pollution prevention measures since original designation in 2004. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste, conserve natural resources and improve the bottom line.

“We are pleased to welcome these properties to our program, which now consists of 361 designated properties statewide,” said DEP Director of Sustainable Initiatives Deas Bohn. “We applaud the new members, as well as our newest designated Two Palm property, for helping us work toward a sustainable future.”

Several of the recently designated properties are implementing practices above and beyond what is required for program designation. The Embassy Suites Tampa Westshore Airport conserves water by using a special dehumidifier which creates drinking water for its employees. The Doubletree Guest Suites Tampa Bay preserves energy by using an on-demand heat source for its ovens and deep-fryers; while many of the signature dishes of the Sanibel Inn’s restaurant feature fruits, vegetables and herbs grown in the property’s edible garden.

The 36 new program members are:

Northeast District:

• Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Lake City
• Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk, Jacksonville
• Radisson Hotel, Jacksonville
• Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, Gainesville

Northwest:

• Ramada Plaza Beach Resort, Ft. Walton Beach

Central:

• Grand Bohemian Hotel, Orlando
• Ginn Reunion Resort – Reunion Grande
• Walt Disney World Swan, Lake Buena Vista
• Walt Disney World Dolphin, Lake Buena Vista
• Holiday Inn Express, Inverness Caribe Royale, Orlando
• Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront, Melbourne
• Floridays Resort, Orlando
• Sleep Inn & Suites, Ocala
• Courtyard by Marriott Village Orlando (Vineland Avenue)
• Comfort Suites, N. Orange Ave, Orlando
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott Village
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando Nearest to Universal Studios
• Springhill Suites Marriott Village, Orlando

South:

• Crowne Plaza La Concha, Key West
• Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa, Marco Island
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Fort Myers
• Sanibel Inn, Sanibel
• Song of the Sea, Sanibel
• Sunset Beach Resort, Sanibel
• Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Naples

Southwest:

• Embassy Suites Tampa Westshore Airport

• Doubletree Guest Suites Tampa Bay
• Springhill Suites by Marriott Tampa/Westshore

Southeast:

• Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel
• Windsor Gardens Hotel & Conference Center
• Holiday Inn Express, Boca Raton
• Highland Beach Holiday Inn
• Courtyard by Marriott Hutchinson Island
• Holiday Inn, Port St. Lucie
• Hilton Garden Inn, Port St. Lucie

To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures by installing low flow plumbing fixtures and implementing a linen reuse program, and energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR® appliances and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All designated properties must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters, and clean air handler units frequently.

Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As reward for designation, the state is recommending designated properties in the Florida Green Lodging Program to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention facilities. To date the program has 361 designated properties and more than 400 applications. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary, non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.