State Recognizes National Pollution Prevention Week

Editor’s Note: A sampling of county-by-county events is listed below.

TALLAHASSEE – In an effort to “green” Florida’s future, Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation designating September 15-21 as Pollution Prevention Week. To celebrate the state and nationally recognized week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host a variety of statewide events promoting everything from proper household hazardous waste disposal to the importance of green cleaning in schools and easy ways citizens and businesses can “green” their daily practices.

“Recognizing Pollution Prevention Week is an opportunity for government to join with schools, businesses and citizens to protect the environment and work toward a sustainable future,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “By providing education and outreach at statewide events, we are taking a proactive approach to eliminating pollution at its source.”

Florida’s theme for this year’s Pollution Prevention Week is “Greening Florida’s Future” and will focus on “green” cleaning methods. Statewide events include hazardous materials drop-offs at local household hazardous waste facilities in exchange for a free microfiber cloth on a first-come, first-served basis; “green cleaning kit” giveaways at area businesses; and educational events encouraging environmentally friendly cleaning practices in Florida’s schools, businesses and homes.

To encourage “green cleaning” in businesses, DEP is providing “green cleaning kits” that contain microfiber cloths, environmentally friendly cleaning products and ingredients, and directions for creating chemical-free products to the Clara White Mission in Jacksonville. The non-profit organization will use the cleaning products as part of its janitorial services job-training program, teaching trainees how to clean in an environmentally friendly manner. For more information see www.clarawhitemission.org.

Funding for DEP’s P2 Program and P2 Week promotions is provided annually by the U.S. EPA’s Pollution Prevention Grant.

Also, as part of its efforts to promote safer cleaning practices in schools, DEP is participating in the Florida School Plant Manager Association’s annual conference. The trade association is expecting about 250 participants to gather September 15-19 in Daytona Beach. DEP will give a presentation on “green cleaning” in schools and host an information booth to provide resources to participants on safer cleaning practices. For more information, visit www.fspma.com.

National Pollution Prevention Week is an annual education event that occurs the third week of September. The event originated in California in 1992 and became a national effort in 1995. DEP’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Program has participated since 1996. DEP’s P2 Program is committed to stopping pollution at its source by providing free assistance to industries and manufacturers, commercial businesses, government, military facilities, schools and organizations to “go green” and save money through pollution prevention strategies. The P2 Program is a 100 percent voluntary, non-regulatory program and one of DEP’s three sustainable initiatives. To learn more about DEP’s P2 Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/pollutionprevention.

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.

For more information about Florida’s Pollution Prevention Week and a list of events, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/pollutionprevention/p2week. For more information on National Pollution Prevention Week, visit www.p2.org/p2week. To view the Governor’s proclamation for Pollution Prevention Week, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/pollutionprevention/files/P2Week2008proclamation.pdf.

Please note: Household Hazardous Waste accepted will vary by facility. For details on items accepted by specific locations, contact the facility directly or visit www.dep.state.fl.us/pollutionprevention/p2week.

DEP invites the public to participate in the following events:

Northeast Florida:

Alachua County

Duval County

Northwest Florida:

Leon County

Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Celebration Baptist Church Parking Lot in Killearn 3300 Shamrock Street E., Tallahassee, FL 32309
Contact: Richard J. Lobinske, 850-606-1816 or LobinskeR@leoncountyfl.gov

Going Green & Natural
Saturday, September 27 from 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, Tallahassee, FL 32309
Attendees will learn what it means to go "green" and discover the many ways state parks work to restore and protect the environment, while preserving its natural beauty and history.
Contact: Trudy Goski, Mark Stevenson, Stephen Sanford or Barry Burch at (850) 922-6007

Wakulla County

Escambia County

Okaloosa County

Central Florida:

Orange County

Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Saturday, September 20 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Locations: McLeod Transfer Station, 5000 L.B. McLeod Road, Orlando
Orange County Landfill, 5901 Young Pine Road, Orlando, FL 32811
Contact: Oscar Ramos, 407-836-6600 or oscar.ramos@ocfl.net

Osceola County

Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Monday, September 15 – Friday, September 19 from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 20 from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Locations: Bass Road Household Hazardous Waste Site, 750 S. Bass Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34741
St. Cloud Transfer Station, 17th Street, St. Cloud, FL 34769
Contact: Danny Sheaffer, 407-962-1102 or dshe@OSCEOLA.ORG

Brevard County

Indian River County

Lake County

Marion County

Volusia County

Southeast Florida:

Miami-Dade County

Southwest Florida:

Hillsborough County

Manatee County

Sarasota County

Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Saturday, September 20
Time: Varied by site
Locations:
North County – 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, 8750 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34241
Mid County – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 4010 Knights Trail Road, Nokomis, FL 34275
South County – 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, 250 S. Jackson Road, Venice, FL 34292
Contact: Lois Rose lerose@scgov.net or 941-861-5000