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ORLANDO – Kicking off the 20th Anniversary of National
Pollution Prevention Week (P2 Week) the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection’s (DEP) Easy As One initiative along with the Orange County
Expressway Authority and A Bag's Life today hosted a collection event in Orlando
at the Amway Arena. At the event, more than 27 tons of paper were shredded and
recycled; more than 4,700 retail plastic bags and 55,000 pounds of electronics
were collected and properly recycled; and more than 400 used cell phones and 600
chargers were collected to be donated to an Orlando area charity.
“Today’s event is a reminder of how simple daily actions collectively can
produce extraordinary results,” said DEP’s Director of Sustainable Initiatives,
Brad Stombock. “The collection of tons of papers, thousands of bags and hundreds
of electronics to be reused or recycled properly, prevents these materials from
polluting Florida’s environment.”
People who brought 20 or more bags for recycling received a reusable shopping
bag courtesy of A Bag’s Life. Those who donated a cell phone or charger or
brought paper or electronics for recycling received a day pass to any Florida
State Park or microfiber cloth.
Today’s event kicked off DEP’s celebration of P2 Week, September 20-26, an
annual event highlighting the importance of pollution prevention. Throughout the
week DEP’s Easy As One and Sustainable Initiatives will host various events
statewide. These include collection events at National Drug Take-Back locations,
Easy As One collection events, a Clean Marina designation ceremony and workshop,
and International Coastal Cleanup events. View a full list of events here: www.dep.state.fl.us/EasyAsOne.
For those who are unable to attend an event there are many ways to properly
recycle retail plastic bags, unwanted electronics and paper. Many retail grocery
stores have implemented plastic bag recycling programs to make recycling easy
for their shoppers. To find a plastic bag recycling location in Florida, go to
www.abagslife.com. Earth
911,
www.Earth911.com, also
provides information and locations for recycling paper and many other items such
as computer monitors, toner cartridges and televisions.
About P2 Week
National Pollution Prevention Week (P2 Week) is an annual event highlighting the
importance of pollution prevention. Pollution prevention is a proactive approach
that eliminates or reduces pollution at its source - through water conservation,
energy efficiency, minimizing the usage of raw materials and green cleaning.
Recognizing P2 Week is an opportunity for government to join with schools,
businesses and citizens to protect the environment and work toward a sustainable
future, by providing education and outreach to promote conservation and
pollution prevention.
About Easy As One
Easy As One - Ordinary actions. Extraordinary results. is an
environmental awareness campaign by DEP that highlights easy actions each one of
us can take to make sustainable practices part of our daily lives at home, at
school, at work and at play. As the lead agency in state government for
environmental management and stewardship, DEP encourages citizens to adopt green
habits that protect Florida’s air and water quality, conserve water and reduce
waste. A sustainable Florida depends on the collective efforts of citizens,
groups, businesses, industry and government.
For More Information
Easy As One:
www.dep.state.fl.us/EasyAsOne or
www.twitter.com/EasyAsOne
Orange County Expressway Authority:
www.expresswayauthority.com
A Bag’s Life:
www.abagslife.com
Pollution Prevention Week:
www.epa.gov/p2week
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2012 State of Florida