DEP Selected as Nora's 2009 Recycler of the Year

KEY BISCAYNE?The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today was awarded the 2009 Recycler of the Year award from An Association of Responsible Recyclers (NORA). The award was presented to DEP at the 2009 NORA Annual Recycling Conference and Trade Show in Key Biscayne. Jack Long, Director of DEP?s Southeast District Office in West Palm Beach, accepted the award on behalf of DEP.

?Receiving the Recycler of the Year award is particularly special to DEP because it is being presented to a government agency, which is unprecedented,? said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. ?The Department depends on private companies, many of which are NORA members, to collect and recycle used oil and through our partnership we have developed and maintained a successful regulatory program.?

NORA is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009. Its members provide used oil, antifreeze, oil filter, and parts washer collection and recycling services throughout the United States and Canada. DEP was the first state agency to become a member of NORA seventeen years ago and has played an active role in educational program partnerships with NORA since that time.

?The Recycler of the Year award recognizes DEP?s efforts to encourage used oil and antifreeze recycling to protect the environment,? said NORA Executive Director Scott D. Parker. ?DEP has been a leader in used oil recycling since 1984, before national used oil regulations were in effect.?

Florida?s Used Oil Recycling Program consists of a registration and record keeping program for used oil handlers, a used oil processor permitting program, a statewide infrastructure for collecting used oil from household ?Do-It-Yourself? (DIY) oil changes, and technical assistance to the public and regulated community. DEP?s ?Bring Each Quart Back!? program is America?s most successful and best organized Do-It-Yourself (DIY) oil collection and recycling program. Floridians can call a toll-free number (1-800-741-4DEP) to find the nearest used oil collection center.

To learn more about used oil recycling, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/used_oil. To learn more about NORA, visit www.noranews.org. 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state?s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida?s environment and natural resources. DEP enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida?s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves.

To view DEP?s website, visit www.dep.state.fl.us.