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TALLAHASSEE- The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) as well as officials from
various state and local agencies today celebrated
America Recycles Day 2006 at the State Capital Circle
Office Center. The annual event encourages Floridians to
conserve natural resources, strengthen local economies
and create jobs by making a commitment to recycling and
purchasing recycled products.
“Waste reduction is not only vital to the
sustainability of Florida’s natural resources, it also
makes economic sense,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M.
Castille. “Florida is home to nearly 3,700 recycling and
reuse companies, employing 32,000 people and creating an
annual payroll of $765 million and $4.4 billion in
annual revenues.”
Exhibits and activities at the event highlighted the
principles of recycling, reusing and reducing waste.
Participants competed in “Junk Yard Art” and kid’s
recycling contests, and enjoyed paper making and
recycling bingo. Others delivered hard-bound books,
printer and toner cartridges, cell phones, rechargeable
batteries and compact discs for recycling. In addition,
DEP, the City of Tallahassee, Leon County and the
Florida Department of Management Services provided
information and displays for visitors.
During the past several months, recycling in Florida
has reduced the amount of waste disposed in landfills.
The commitment of state employees has resulted in the
recycling of almost 626.3 tons of office paper in the
Tallahassee state-owned buildings alone during the
months of January to September 2006, the equivalent to
saving 10,647 trees and 5,634 cubic feet of landfill
space.
America Recycles Day highlights the importance of
protecting the nation’s natural resources and reminds
Americans responsibilities as environmental stewards.
Last year, nearly 200,000 Americans took the America
Recycles Day pledge to prevent and reduce waste.
To learn more about Florida's America Recycles Day,
visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/recycling/AR/2006/ar06.htm. | 
