Florida launches new plastics recycling program

The Florida Recycling Partnership, Tallahassee, Florida, partnered with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Keep Florida Beautiful, Tallahassee, and other recycling stakeholders in the state for Florida Recycles Day at the Capitol Jan. 24 to remind legislators and the public about the importance of recycling. 

“The Florida Recycling Partnership is pleased to partner with FDEP and other key stakeholders to promote recycling during our Florida Recycles Day at the Capitol,” said Dawn McCormick, board chair of the Florida Recycling Partnership, during the event. “To improve recycling throughout the state and recycle only the right materials in our curbside residential programs, takes the cooperation of many of us as we strive to educate our residents about proper recycling.”

During the event, the Florida Wrap Recycling Action Program (WRAP) launched. The program, which is sponsored by the American Chemistry Council, Washington, is designed to boost plastic bag and film recycling, increase demand for recycled plastics and provide education on how film recycling can benefit Florida’s communities. To date, Alachua, Indian River, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange and Seminole counties have agreed to participate in the WRAP program, along with the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach, Emerald Coast Unities Authority, the city of Jacksonville and the city of Tampa. 

“We are very pleased that Florida has become a WRAP partner,” said Shari Jackson, director of the Flexible Film Recycling Group, during the event. “WRAP will provide tools and best practices to support DEP’s community outreach and education efforts to increase the recycling of plastic film packaging.”

FDEP also presented a Recycling Recognition Award to Northrop Grumman, Falls Church, Virginia, for its recycling efforts during the event. 

“DEP is pleased to recognize entities like Northrop Grumman that demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection by implementing environmentally friendly practices and identifying innovative ways to recycle,” said FDEP Secretary Noah Valenstein at the event. “We are also pleased to join our partners in launching the WRAP initiative, which aims to reduce curbside recycling contamination through education, and provides Florida’s residents with even more recycling opportunities. Through these efforts, and with the help of our partners, together we can ensure Florida’s natural resources are protected and continue achieving more now for Florida’s environment.”

Valenstein also accepted the 2018 Sustainability Game Changer Partnership Award at the event. The Florida Recycling Partnership, Waste Management Inc. of Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Beverage Association partnered to win the award from the National Waste & Recycling Association, Washington. According to a Florida Recycling Partnership news release, the award recognizes partnerships that include municipal and county governments, regulatory agencies, community organizations and private industry that have successfully implemented game-changing initiatives, policies or programs that advance sustainability in their community. For the 2018 award, these public and private organizations worked together on three recycling educational programs, including the “Rethink. Reset. Recycle.” campaign at FloridaRecycles.org; the Capitol Complex Recycling Project and Florida Recycles Day at the Capitol. 

“Florida Recycles Day at the Capitol is our signature event,” says Keyna Cory, executive director for the Florida Recycling Partnership. “This past year we were able to announce the new collaborative educational program, Rethink. Reset. Recycle. campaign and the Capitol Complex Recycling Project.”