|
|
|
|
|
|
So you think you can color?
|
|
As part of the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County's celebration of America Recycles Day on Nov. 19, we are partnering with WFLX-TV FOX29 and Whole Foods to create a coloring contest that will inspire creative recyclers!
Visit swa.org/coloring to download the coloring page, see the complete rules, and, when you're done, get instructions on how to submit your entry!
|
|
Recycling Hall Of Shame
Palm Beach County is passionate about Recycling Right! To help spread the word about what is recyclable, we've started showcasing photos on our Facebook page that illustrate what NOT to recycle.
Can you tell what is wrong with these photos?
|
|
|
|
Perfect examples of how NOT to recycle
|
|
The top photo shows plastic bags, which never go in either the Blue or Yellow bin, as well as fluorescent light bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are considered hazardous waste due to the mercury they contain. While we at the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County will be happy to properly dispose of them, we ask residents to bring them to one of our seven Home Chemical and Recycling centers. The folks who pick up your recyclables curbside definitely do not want hazardous materials in their trucks.
The bottom photo shows a lawn chair stuffed into a Blue bin. Yes, the lawn chair is made of plastic and yes, plastic goes in the Blue bin, but our recycling program is really focused on recovering the majority of plastic containers - bottles and jugs. That chair is not recyclable in Palm Beach County but if thrown away, it will go to one of our Renewable Energy facilities and be used to generate electricity.
Want easy guidelines for PBC recycling? Click the image below, peruse our website, or ask our experts. And thank you for Recycling Right!
|
|
Dispose Of Tires, Reduce Disease
|
|
|
|
Mosquitoes love old tires.
|
|
|
That old tire is an almost perfect breeding ground for the mosquitoes that transmit Zika and Dengue fever: it collects water and incubates eggs. Fortunately, there are many ways residents living in unincorporated Palm Beach County can get rid of their unwanted old tires:
- Put old tires out with the trash on either garbage collection day - up to two tires, off the rim, are collected curbside per year for FREE.
- Take old tires to the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County’s Customer Convenience Drop-off Center at the landfill. There will be a charge at this location.
(NOTE: there are specific laws that commercial businesses have to follow)
Other mosquito and Zika virus information can be found online:
|
|
International Geocaching Day
|
|
 Celebrate Geocaching’s Big Day on Saturday, August 20! It’s the perfect day to find a few (dozen) geocaches and spend time with your fellow players on the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County's Greenway Trail System.
By finding a geocache or attending an event on this special day, you’ll earn the International Geocaching Day 2016 souvenir. Learn more at geocaching.com»
|
|
Praise For Our Programs
The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County's Public Affairs and Customer Information Services teams have recently recognized by a couple agencies.
1. The Florida Festivals and Events Association announced their Sunsational Awards. Our education program, nicknamed "AWAY," won third prize for programs with a $250,000+ budget and our flyer for the SWA Soiree and Run AWAY 5K Trail Run/Walk took home another bronze for a brochure with a budget lower than $50,000.
|
|
|
|
Florida Festivals and Events Association's Sunsational Awards recognizing the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County
|
|
2.Not only that, but our community education efforts were lauded by Gloria A. with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Southeast District in West Palm Beach.
She wrote:
On behalf of the DEP Southeast District Office Internship team, I want to thank you for the time you took to organize and host our tour of the Solid Waste Authority Renewable Energy Plant yesterday.
Having been guided on a tour I must say that we were all thoroughly impressed with the operations. I personally don't believe I have ever viewed a more efficient and smooth running program such as yours.
All of the employees were extremely courteous and went out of their way to explain various functions and answer our questions...
Again, thank you for making our visit a memorable and encouraging experience.
If you would like to schedule your own memorable experience with our award-winning education team, visit us online or send us an email.
3. The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County supports Paint Your Heart Out, a program that uses recycled paint to beautify homes of needy families. We just received this lovely note from Jean & Paul T., one of our Paint Your Heart Out families:
Words cannot begin to express the overwhelming feelings we have for you and your volunteers. You came and started work at 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. without a break. You were all so courteous and caring of our needs. We have never met such a wonderful group of people before. We can still picture you all on that hot and sunny day. Our family, friends and neighbors were all very impressed with the wonderful job you did so well.
P.S. Thanks Again
To learn more about recycled paint donations, contact Linda Moreno, Volunteer Coordinator at 561-697-2700, ext. 4717.
|
|
Dear Recyclinda,
Can we recycle pizza boxes?
The Boxer, Boca Raton
Pizza boxes are a quandary. They are made of cardboard, and so one might assume that they are perfect fodder for that Yellow recycling bin.
Yet, they are often soaked in the delicious cheese and grease that so often accompanies a tasty slice. Sadly, paper products that have absorbed food oils or liquids are definitely not recyclable.
This dichotomy speaks to the reason why we have two bins in the first place: keeping food containers safely ensconced in a Blue bin ensures that the paper and cardboard in the Yellow bin remains delightfully pristine and easy to recycle.
So, my final verdict: give that pizza box a good ogling to see if there is any grease. If not, recycle the clean side! If there is a saucy blemish on the bottom, toss that half in the trash, where it will be sent to one of the Solid Waste Authority's Renewable Energy facilities and used as fuel to generate electricity.
Quandary: solved.
|
|
|
Every month, Recyclinda answers your most pressing recycling questions. Have an environmental query? Email the guru!
|
|
|
|
The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County is always looking to grow our volunteer ranks. So, if you enjoy meeting new people and learning new things (and getting cool t-shirts!), learn more about volunteering with the SWA»
|
|
|
DIY Disposal Of Engine Fluids And Filters
|
|
Are you a self-starter when it comes to car maintenance? The key to “Doing It Yourself” is knowing how to dispose of it yourself.
Whether from cars and trucks or boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and lawn mowers, these items should not be mixed or thrown away in the garbage:
- old fuels
- lubricants
- antifreeze
- filters
Fortunately, proper disposal of these items (and other home hazards) is easy and free for Palm Beach County residents. Just bring these items to any of the SWA’s Home Chemical and Recycling Centers, where they will be recycled or disposed of properly.
|
|
August Elections
We are all looking forward to the November presidential election. Don’t miss Florida’s primary election on August 30. It includes several important local, state and federal contests. The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections recently mailed all registered voters a new voter registration card. Please double check your card to make sure the information is accurate.
Make your voice heard!
Best regards, Anne M. Gannon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
