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TALLAHASSEE – As 2009 approaches many of us will make New Year’s resolutions
that focus on personal goals. Everything from shedding a few pounds to saving
more money makes the list of popular resolutions around this time of year.
“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging
Floridians to consider resolutions that have a positive impact not only on
themselves but also on the state’s environment,” said DEP’s Director of
Sustainable Initiatives Deas Bohn. “If every Floridian adopts a few of these
ideas throughout the year, they can make a huge difference in our efforts to
protect the environment.”
The following is a month-by-month list of simple “green” resolutions for
2009:
JANUARY: Ecycle – With the holidays came many new electronics under the tree
but it is important not to dispose of the old gadgets in your garbage. Instead
consider ecycling – recycling unwanted electronics to recover and reuse the
product itself or materials like copper, steel, glass that the product contains.
Some other tips include: keeping old televisions for games, videos or DVDs;
donating working televisions to a charitable organization or giving them to a
friend; or offering televisions through a local “freecycle” group at
http://www.freecycle.org,
Nearly two million tons of used electronics, including computers and
televisions, are discarded each year, and an estimated 128 million cell phones
are retired from use annually. For more tips on recycling electronics visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/
electronics/default.htm.
FEBRUARY: Spend More Family Time Outdoors – February is hiking and trails
month. So why not plan an environmentally friendly outing, like a family bike
ride on one of Florida’s award winning trails? DEP’s OGT has taken a lead role
in working to establish a statewide system of greenways and trails and entered
into partnerships of many forms to accomplish its legislative mandate. The DEP’s
Office of Greenways & Trails manages eight state trails, in addition to the
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. The Greenway is Florida’s longest
green corridor stretching 110 miles from the St. Johns River near Palatka to the
Gulf of Mexico near Inglis. Of the eight state trails, six are rail-trails,
which are railroad corridors converted to recreational trails for hiking,
biking, skating, equestrian activities and alternative transportation. To find a trail near you visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/.
MARCH: Save on Water Usage – With Spring approaching, March is a great time
to make changes at home that conserve water. By replacing a typical 3.5-gallon
toilet with a 1.6 gallon model, a family of four will save more than 11,000
gallons of water per year. Also, take shorter showers and replace showerheads
with an ultra-low-flow version. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers –
one drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year. For more water
conservation tips visit www.dep.state.fl.us./drought/tips.htm
APRIL: Celebrate the Earth – April 22nd is the 39th anniversary of Earth Day.
This year take a moment to look at how to reduce waste at home by recycling.
- One recycled aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television or computer
for three hours or a 100-watt light bulb for 20 hours.
- Recycling one glass
bottle saves enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.
- Recycling a one-gallon plastic milk jug will save enough energy to keep a
100-watt bulb burning for 11 hours.
- Recycling a one-foot high stack of
newspapers saves enough electricity to heat a home for 17 hours.
In 2008,
Governor Charlie Crist signed the Energy, Climate Change, and Economic Security
Act of 2008 that establishes new statewide recycling goals of 75 percent to be
achieved by the year 2020. To learn more visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/recyclinggoal75.
MAY: Add a Green Twist to Spring Cleaning – May is Clean Air Awareness month,
and it is a perfect time to switch to green cleaners that help the environment
as well as the air we breathe. Consumers can create home-mixed cleaners that are
equally as effective as traditional products, and safer for people and the
environment. For those who don’t have time to make their own cleaners, there are
now hundreds of environmentally friendly products widely available through
stores and the Internet. Important safety and environmental features of these
products include being non-toxic, biodegradable, made from renewable resources
and petroleum-free. DEP offers a number of Green Cleaning tips and recipes at
www.dep.state.fl.us/pollutionprevention/green_cleaning.htm
JUNE: Implement Eco-Friendly Boating Practices – National Boating and Fishing
Week takes place every June. With more than a million registered boaters in
Florida, this is a perfect time of the year to implement eco-friendly maritime
practices such as: using phosphate-free, biodegradable and non-toxic cleaners;
using oil absorbent material to catch drips from the fuel intake and the vent
overflow; and using marina pumpout stations and rinsing holding tanks regularly.
Florida’s Clean Marina Program provides boaters and marinas more tips on
environmentally friendly practices at
www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/.
JULY: Travel Green – Leaving home doesn’t mean travelers should stop being
environmentally conscientious. Florida has nearly 400 hotels, motels and bed and
breakfasts that are designated members of DEP’s Florida Green Lodging Program.
The program was established in 2004 to recognize and reward environmentally
conscientious lodging facilities in the state. Beyond staying at a designated
property, travelers can also learn how to be a green guest by visiting
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/green/travel.htm.
AUGUST: Enjoy a Florida State Park Staycation – With a downturn in the
economy and families trying to save more money, the term “staycation” became a
new addition to the American vocabulary. In addition to being affordable, the
staycation can also reduce your carbon footprint. The perfect staycation can be
found at any of Florida’s 160 state parks. From mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs
State Park to manatees at Blue Springs State Park, from the lush gardens of
Maclay State Park to the beaches of Caladesi Island State Park – Florida’s state
parks have something for everyone’s interest, and the regular entrance fee for
most state parks is $4.00 per carload of two-to-eight people, $3.00 for one
person in a car and $1.00 per pedestrian or bicyclist. To find a state park in
your backyard visit www.dep.state.fl.us/parks
SEPTEMBER: Participate In Coastal Cleanup – Every September thousands of
Floridians take part in International Coastal Cleanup Day. It is estimated that
litter and debris harm more than one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals
and turtles every year. Help by participating in a coastal cleanup effort near
you. Some of the most dangerous items to sea life during the coastal cleanup
include: monofilament fishing line, fishing nets, bags, balloons, traps
(crab/lobster/fish) plastic sheeting/tarps, rope, six pack holders, strapping
bands and syringes. For more information on coastal cleanup go to
www.dep.state.fl.us/cmp
OCTOBER: Make the Switch – October is energy awareness month, a month where
consumers are reminded to make wise energy choices. The easiest way to save
energy is to switch from traditional incandescent light bulbs to compact
fluorescent bulbs that reduce energy consumption, generate less air pollution
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If every household in Florida changed just
one light to an ENERGY STAR® product, savings would total more than $37 million
in energy costs annually. In addition, Florida could save up to 351 million
kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which is enough energy to light all the
households in Tallahassee for nearly three years, and prevent almost 540 million
pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year. For more energy tips visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/green/tips/tips.htm#home.
NOVEMBER: Have a Green Thanksgiving – Thanksgiving is a holiday steeped with
tradition, but why not start a new tradition by having a green celebration?
Reducing impact on the environment is something for which everyone can be
thankful. Here are a few tips on giving thanks to the environment: use homemade
decorations; carry reusable bags when you go grocery shopping; at dinner, use
cloth napkins that can be washed and used again; and shop online on Black Friday
in the comfort of your home. You’ll save on emissions as well as hassle.
DECEMBER: Decorate Green– Instead of buying plastic and glass holiday
decorations, try making your own ornaments that can be reused or recycled.
Create ornaments made from old greeting cards or cookie dough, garlands made
from strung popcorn or cranberries, and potpourri made from kitchen spices such
as cinnamon and cloves.
The DEP staff wishes the people of Florida a safe, happy and green New Year.
For more “green” tips, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/green/tips/. | 
2012 State of Florida