|
TALLAHASSEE – Today, the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection’s (DEP) Easy As One initiative along with the A Bag’s Life and
multiple Florida law enforcement agencies hosted collection events throughout
the state recognizing National Pollution Prevention Week and National Drug
Take-Back Day.
Nine events held from Pensacola to Fort Myers collected nearly 2,200 retail
plastic bags to be properly recycled; more than 120 used cell phones and 140
chargers to be donated to charity and 730 pounds and 220 bottles of unwanted or
expired medications to be properly disposed or destroyed.
“The high turnout at today’s events shows how easy individual actions can
have a profound impact on Florida’s environment,” said DEP Director of
Sustainable Initiatives Brad Stombock. “Preventing thousands of plastic bags and
hundreds of cell phones and chargers entering the waste stream protects our
environment; and the collection of numerous medications protects Florida’s water
quality.”
Participants in today’s events received a reusable shopping bag, microfiber
cloth or day pass to any Florida State Park. Today’s statewide collection events
included:
- Junior Museum of Bay County Safety Day
Junior Museum of Bay County
308 Airport Road - Panama City, Florida
- International Coastal Cleanup Collection Event
Life Guard Station - Beach Boulevard Walk Over
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
- National Drug Take-Back – Northwest Florida
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Walgreens
4497 Mobile Highway - Pensacola, Florida
- National Drug Take-Back – Northwest Florida CVS
2090 South Highway 29 - Cantonment, Florida
- National Drug Take-Back – Northeast Florida
Walgreens
10503 San Jose Boulevard - Jacksonville, Florida
- National Drug Take-Back – Central Florida
Walgreens
1705 US 1 - Vero Beach, Florida
- National Drug Take-Back – Southwest Florida
The Shops at Wiregrass
28211 Paseo Drive - Wesley Chapel, Florida
- National Drug Take-Back – South Florida
Edison State College Student Life Lobby
8099 College Parkway - Fort Myers, Florida
- National Drug Take-Back – Southeast Florida
Lantana Police Department
500 Greynolds Circle - Lantana, Florida
For those who were unable to attend an event, many retail grocery stores have
implemented plastic bag recycling programs to make recycling easy for their
shoppers. To find a plastic bag recycling location, go to
www.abagslife.com. Visit
www.Earth911.com for information on recycling paper and many other items
such as computer monitors, toner cartridges and televisions. DEP also offers
information on
how to properly dispose of unwanted medications.
About P2 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
A Bag’s Life: www.abagslife.com
Pollution Prevention Week:
www.epa.gov/p2week
National Drug Take-Back Day:
www.justice.gov/dea
|
2012 State of Florida