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THE VILLAGES – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP)
Easy As One initiative along with A Bag’s Life today hosted a collection event
at The Villages Government Day. At the event, nearly 3,000 pounds of paper were
shredded and recycled by Secure On-Site Shredding and more than 500 retail
plastic bags were collected and properly recycled.
“Today hundreds of residents learned about Florida’s environment and easy
ways to protect it,” said DEP Director of Sustainable Initiatives Brad Stombock.
“The collection of tons of paper and hundreds of retail plastic bags to be
recycled rather than sent to the landfill is a reminder of how simple daily
actions collectively can produce extraordinary results,”
Today’s event represented the 14th annual Government Day in The Villages. The
event educates residents about services offered by local and state government
agencies. Attendees who brought 20 or more bags for recycling received a
reusable shopping bag courtesy of A Bag’s Life. Those who brought paper for
recycling received a day pass to any Florida State Park.
“The Villages Community prides itself on being great stewards of the
environment,” said John Rohan, The Villages Director of Recreation. “DEP allowed
us yet another opportunity to participate in this endeavor of recycling for the
betterment of protecting and preserving our precious resources. We look forward
to a continued partnership for future recycling opportunities.”
There are many ways to properly recycle retail plastic bags 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.
“Retailers like Sweetbay, which offered free totes to those who recycled
plastic bags at this event, recognize the important role they have to play in
Florida’s recycling policies, and they embrace that role with enthusiasm,” said
Samantha Hunter Padgett Florida Retail Federation Sustainability Council
Executive Coordinator. “Our partnership with A Bag’s Life takes those efforts
one step further by making it easy for customers to locate the nearest recycling
opportunity at their favorite local retailer.”
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
The Villages:
www.thevillages.com
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2012 State of Florida