Florida Students Pledge to Recycle

TALLAHASSEE – In recognition of America Recycles Day on November 15, 2010, Florida students are promising to protect Florida’s environment by committing to recycling as part of the seventh annual Florida K-12 Schools Recycling Pledge Card Contest.

The contest, announced by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Recycle Florida Today, Creative Recycling Systems, Inc. and Publix Super Markets, is designed to reward the three Florida schools that submit the greatest number of pledges per capita. By participating in the contest, schools are encouraging recycling and competing for a chance to win a refurbished computer.

“By starting at a young age and getting involved in recycling, students can play a major role in helping Florida achieve its recycling goal of 75 percent by the year 2020,” said DEP Director of Waste Management Mary Jean Yon. “This contest encourages Florida’s youth to take personal responsibility to manage waste and demonstrate environmental stewardship at school and at home.”

House Bill 7243, signed into law in 2010 by Governor Charlie Crist, established a 75 percent recycling goal for counties by 2020, which is the highest recycling goal of any state in the nation. DEP encourages the public to assist in reaching this monumental goal by increasing recycling efforts and educating others.

• Renew their personal commitment to recycling, and increase their recycling efforts at home, school and work.
• Encourage others to recycle by serving as a recycling example in their neighborhoods.
• Tell five friends that recycling is the easiest way to slow climate change.
• Agree to participate in an additional recycling related effort.

The three schools with the highest number of pledges per capita will receive a gently used desktop computer, including a monitor, courtesy of Creative Recycling Systems, Inc. In addition, each individual who fills out a pledge card will be entered into a statewide drawing for either a $100 gift card, courtesy of Recycle Florida Today or one of two $100 gift cards donated by Publix Super Markets.

DEP encourages students taking the pledge to learn about Easy As One – Ordinary actions. Extraordinary results. DEP’s Easy As One initiative promotes easy ways to recycle, reduce waste and protect the environment. One of the easiest steps is recycling retail plastic bags and using reusable shopping bags instead. To find a plastic bag recycling location, go to www.abagslife.com. To learn more, visit the Easy As One blog, www.dep.state.fl.us or follow Easy As One on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/EasyAsOne for great tips and information.

In 2009, more than 25,000 Floridians took the pledge to recycle and buy more recycled products through this campaign.

For more information:
America Recycles Day - www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/recycling/AR/2010/ar10.htm
75 Percent Recycling Goal - www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/recyclinggoal75
Easy As One – www.dep.state.fl.us/EasyAsOne  or www.Twitter.com/EasyAsOne