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TALLAHASSEE – In an effort to promote pollution solutions, the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Easy As One initiative and A
Bag’s Life is recognizing September 20-26, as National Pollution Prevention Week
(P2 Week). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Pollution Prevention Act
of 1990, an act dedicated to stopping pollution at its source by promoting
sustainable practices such as green cleaning, reducing energy and water usage
and recycling items that would otherwise end up in the landfill to protect human
health and the environment.
“I encourage Floridians to attend a collection event this weekend to see how
easy it is to protect Florida’s environment,” said DEP Director of Sustainable
Initiatives Brad Stombock. “Hosting and participating in collection events
statewide allows everyone the opportunity to be green.”
The centerpiece of P2 Week 2010 is DEP’s Easy As One initiative – Ordinary
habits. Extraordinary results. In conjunction with P2 Week and National Drug
Take-Back Day, DEP’s Easy As One initiative is hosting and participating in
collection events statewide to highlight easy actions everyone can take to make
sustainable practices part of their daily lives at home, at school, at work and
at play. Items being collected at these events include medication, cell phones
and retail plastic bags, all of which will be properly disposed of, recycled or
reused.
Also taking place during P2 Week is National Drug Take-Back Day Saturday,
September 25. This event, sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,
allows drop off of expired and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter
medications at various locations nationwide for proper disposal. Medication
collection protects public health and safety as well as the environment.
Wastewater treatment systems are not designed to remove many types of
medications. Flushing drugs down the toilet or pouring medications down the sink
can contaminate the groundwater supply, including Florida’s drinking water.
Various items will be collected at events statewide by DEP, A Bag’s Life and
local law enforcement on Saturday, September 25. Anyone participating in an
event bringing 20 or more retail plastic bags, a cell phone or a charger will
receive a reusable shopping bag, microfiber cloth or day pass to any Florida
State Park. Limit one per person, while supplies last.
P2 Week collection events taking place statewide on Saturday, September 25,
2010 include:
• Junior Museum of Bay County Safety Day
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Junior Museum of Bay County
308 Airport Road - Panama City, Florida
Items to be Collected: Cell Phones
• International Coastal Cleanup Collection Event
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Life Guard Station - Beach Boulevard Walk Over
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Items to be Collected: Cell Phones, Plastic Bags
• National Drug Take-Back – Northwest Florida
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Walgreens
4497 Mobile Highway - Pensacola, Florida
Items to be Collected:
Medication, Plastic Bags, Cell Phones
• National Drug Take-Back – Northwest Florida
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
CVS
2090 South Highway 29 - Cantonment, Florida
Items to be Collected: Medication, Plastic Bags, Cell Phones
• National Drug Take-Back – Northeast Florida
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Walgreens
10503 San Jose Boulevard - Jacksonville, Florida
Items to be Collected: Medication, Plastic Bags, Cell Phones
• National Drug Take-Back – Central Florida
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Walgreens
1705 US 1 - Vero Beach, Florida
Items to be Collected: Medication, Plastic Bags, Cell Phones
• National Drug Take-Back – Southwest Florida
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Shops at Wiregrass
28211 Paseo Drive - Wesley Chapel, Florida
Items to be Collected: Medication, Plastic Bags, Cell Phones
• National Drug Take-Back – South Florida
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Edison State College Student Life Lobby
8099 College Parkway - Fort Myers, Florida
Items to be Collected: Medication, Plastic Bags, Cell Phones
• National Drug Take-Back
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Lantana Police Department
500 Greynolds Circle - Lantana, Florida
Items to be Collected: Medication, Plastic Bags
About 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.
For more information, visit:
DEP’s Easy As One initiative -
www.dep.state.fl.us/EasyAsOne
or www.twitter.com/EasyAsOne
DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives -
www.dep.state.fl.us/green
A Bag’s Life – www.ABagsLife.com
National Pollution Prevention Week -
www.epa.gov/p2week
National Drug Take-Back Day -
www.justice.gov/dea
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2012 State of Florida