FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 4, 2004
CONTACT: Leigh Ann Asklar (850) 245-2112

State Offices a Model for Workplace Recycling

--Initiatives encourage statewide recycling, waste reduction--

TALLAHASSEE – Through organized recycling efforts, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) employees are setting an example for workplaces throughout the state. To reduce waste and conserve resources, employees are recycling office paper, cell phones, household hazardous waste and batteries through office recycling programs.

“Department employees are setting the example for workplace recycling,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “As America Recycles Day approaches, we are challenging all Florida residents to reduce waste and reaffirm their commitment to recycling and reusing.”

Since 1992, recycling in Florida has reduced the volume of municipal solid waste disposal by almost one third. Over the past two years, the efforts of State of Florida employees resulted in the recycling of more than 2,000 tons of office paper in Tallahassee alone – equivalent to saving 34,000 trees.

DEP’s Tallahassee offices instituted programs to recycle and reuse office paper, aluminum, cardboard, printer cartridges, compact discs, cell phones and pagers. In 2003, an Employee Household Hazardous Waste Collection event collected 3,900 pounds of household hazardous waste for recycling or disposal. This year, DEP employees recycled 466 pounds of batteries, including 152 pounds of lead acid batteries and close to 25 pounds of rechargeable batteries.

Celebrated on November 15th, America Recycles Day reminds all Americans of the importance of environmental stewardship and protecting natural resources. Last year, nearly one million Americans took the America Recycles Day pledge to prevent and reduce waste.