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In this issue...

November 2016

Free paper shred tomorrow

Celebrate America Recycles Day with the SWA Saturday

Haul-idays

There will be no curbside pickup of garbage or recycling on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24 in unincorporated Palm Beach County.

We're a Toys for Tots spot

Bring a little cheer to a needy child at the end of the year by donating a new toy.

Family fun for America Recycles Day

Join us!
What better way to celebrate America Recycles Day than by watching your garbage get recycled into energy, protecting your identity by shredding personal documents, and safely recycling household hazardous wastes?

On Saturday, Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., join us at the SWA Education Center (6751 N. Jog Road in West Palm Beach) for:
  • An open house with interactive games and a 9-ton claw moving trash in the Pit.
  • Free paper shredding (up to six boxes per car) courtesy of Stericycle.
  • Free recycling bins for Palm Beach County residents who need replacements.
  • A food drive giving nonperishable food items to the Palm Beach County Food Bank.
  • A household hazardous waste drop-off where residents can safely dispose of home chemicals.
Learn more about the event at swa.org/ARD»
See the Claws in action Nov. 19!

Haul-iday

Live in unincorporated Palm Beach County? There are only two observed holidays during which there is NO garbage service and all SWA facilities are closed:
  • Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, Nov. 24
  • Christmas Day - Sunday, Dec. 25
There WILL BE normal scheduled collection services for unincorporated residents on the following holidays:
  • Christmas Eve - Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016
  • New Year's Eve - Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016
While there will be trash pickup, SWA administrative offices will be closed on the above days. However, a limited number of SWA Customer Service team members will be available to assist residents with any garbage or recyclable collection questions or concerns. SWA Customer Service can be reached at 561-697-2700 or 866-792-4636.

Live in one of Palm Beach County’s 38 municipalities? Contact your municipality directly for their holiday collection schedule. We've provided a list of municipal contacts on our website, as well as more information on holiday trash collection and SWA facilities and hours.

We're a Toys for Tots spot


Bring a little cheer to a needy child at the end of the year by donating a new toy. The SWA Administration Building (7501 N. Jog Road in West Palm Beach) is a drop-off spot for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.

New, unwrapped toy donations are welcome now through Wednesday, Dec. 14 during normal business hours. Toy donations can be either for a boy or girl, from infant age to 15 years. The hardest age groups to fill are both boys and girls age 0-2 and 11 and up. No clothes, stuffed animals, realistic looking weapons, or gifts with food are able to be accepted.

A full list of Palm Beach County Toys for Tots drop-off locations is available online.
The SWA Administration Building is a Toys for Tots drop-off spot

Calendar call

365 days of solid waste wonder
Allow us to help you deck the walls this coming year with the official SWA 2017 calendar. Filled with fantastic photos, fun facts and fabulous festivals, this calendar will keep you up-to-date on waste issues. Just email us if you'd like a copy!

SWA geocoin toss

An SWA geocoin in Spain
We are constantly amazed at the number of explorers who check out the geocaches hidden on the SWA Greenway Trail System, and thrilled when one of our coins makes it all the way across the Atlantic!



Have no idea what we're talking about? Visit geocaching.com to get started on the real-life treasure hunt!

Our volunteers are "wanted"

On Nov. 5, the SWA gave thanks for our crews of dedicated volunteers with a "Most Wanted" Volunteer Lunch Social.

The SWA has a volunteer base of 325 amazing people, and in 2015, they contributed a total of 26,771 hours for a value of $558,175.

See all the photos from the event on the SWA Facebook page»
SWA Volunteer Coordinator Linda Moreno, above center, emcees the appreciation event; Volunteer guests enjoy lunch
SWA Executive Director Mark Hammond (center) with volunteers who have donated 25 hours of their time helping the community 

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»

Dear Recyclinda

Dear Recyclinda,

I saw the garbage man mix all of my blue and yellow recyclables when he put them in the truck! What’s up with that?

Perturbed in Pahokee


Put away your perturbation, dear reader. The gentleman that picks up your recyclables did not undo the work you put into sorting your blue bin items from your yellow bin items.

Many of the trucks used to pick up recyclables have doors very near each other, so it often looks like the blue bin is being dumped in with the yellow bin. The hopper where the blue and yellow recyclables are dumped is separated by a metal wall, and the trucks are also divided inside so that those items never mix.

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County does not get to pick up your recyclables at the curb – that is done by a private company or by your city – but we are the final destination of those recyclables. When recycling trucks come to unload their contents at our recycling center or at one of our transfer stations, we keep a close eye on those loads and make sure the blue bin items have been kept separate from the yellow bin things.

So please, keep sorting your recyclables at home in the proper bin!

Learn what goes in each bin at SWA.org/RecycleRight»

Every month, Recyclinda answers your most pressing recycling questions. Have an environmental query? Email the guru!

Recycling Hall of Shame

Wood you do this to an innocent recycling bin?
Your blue bin gets bottles, cans and other food and drink containers. It does not get wood planks. 

Usable lumber and other construction leftovers may be donated to a reuse store, but it's going nowhere if placed in your blue or yellow bin.

If you'd like more information on Recycling Right or would like to order bins, just call 866-NEW-BINS or visit SWA.org/RecycleRight»

Don’t be a turkey… Recycle used cooking oil

Fried turkeys are a Thanksgiving treat, but the mess from all that oil is less enticing.

All home cooking oils - frying oil and bacon and hamburger drippings - can cause problems in home plumbing, sewage collection systems and septic systems. If dumped down any drain, these used cooking oils can clog pipes, even if washed down with hot water. Blocked pipes can even cause sewage backups – not a very appetizing thought.

Fortunately, Palm Beach County residents can recycle their used cooking oil for FREE. To recycle your oil:
  • Allow the used cooking oil to cool.
  • Carefully pour the cooled cooking oil into a large, sturdy plastic or wax-coated leak-proof container no larger than 5 gallons, such as the original container or a juice carton.
  • Cap the container securely.
  • Don’t mix the used cooking oil with any other liquids or products.
  • Take to any of the SWA’s seven Home Chemical and Recycling Centers
Watch to learn about hazardous material disposal»
Government Grapevine

Osprey Point Golf Course Named "World's Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility"


The World Golf Awards named Osprey Point Golf Course the World's Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility during an awards ceremony on November 12 at the Conrad Algarve Resort in Quinta do Lago, Portugal. Osprey Point Golf Course in Boca Raton is owned by Palm Beach County and operated by its Parks and Recreation Department.

Read more from Palm Beach County»
Osprey Point Golf Course

Property Appraiser's payment perks


Are you shopping for deals this holiday season? Treat yourself to a property tax discount! Save 3% when you pay in December. The discount drops to 2% in January and 1% in February. There is no discount for property tax bills paid in March 2017. Your 2016 Property Taxes are delinquent April 1, 2017.

The easiest way to pay property taxes is online at www.pbctax.com. There is no fee for eCheck payments. Online payments are processed in one to three business days. Plus, you can view and print a copy of your tax bill on our site.
 

Skip the line


Winter is an especially busy time in the Tax Collector offices. Here are our top tips for hassle-free transactions.
  1. Go online. Click over to www.pbctax.com to pay 2016 property taxes and renew motor vehicle, boat and mobile home registrations. You can also print forms, including the Disabled Persons Parking Permit application, or apply for our 2017 property tax installment payment plan.
  2. Bring the right stuff. If you must visit an office, make sure you have the correct documents handy. We posted a REAL ID checklist at www.pbctax.com/real-id to help you prepare.
  3. Plan ahead. November through March is our busiest season. Lines form as early as 7 a.m. Please note that our offices are especially busy during the public school winter break. This year, winter break is Friday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Jan. 6.
We're Hiring
Equipment Operator III
Closing: Nov. 18 at 5 p.m.
$15.42 - $18.31 per hour, depending on skills/experience

Skilled work operating heavy equipment in the transfer and disposal of solid waste at the Landfill. This work requires a high degree of proficiency and dexterity in operating landfill heavy equipment. Responsible for daily inspections and safe operations of landfill and equipment.

Mechanic's Helper
Closing: Nov. 18 at 5 p.m.
$14.62 - $17.37 per hour, depending on skills/experience

Responsible for assisting Mechanics with maintaining and repairing all SWA equipment. Duties include assisting mechanics with repairs and cleaning equipment. Will operate a pressure cleaner. May be required to pick up and deliver repair parts, supplies and equipment.

Utility Operator IV
Closing: Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.
$18.11 – $21.50 per hour, depending on skills/experience

Skilled work in the operation and maintenance of water purification and supply systems, leachate collection systems, waste water treatment and disposal systems, power generation and distribution systems, instrumentation and control systems, landfill gas collection/disposal systems, injection well systems, and other utilities.

Weighmaster
Closing: Nov. 24 at 5 p.m.
$17.16 per hour

Responsible position involving the operation of the SWA weigh stations. Ability to enter high volume of accurate records with reasonable speed, perform mathematical computations and manage cash. Ability to communicate effectively with the public and coworkers in a courteous manner and work independently with minimal supervision.

Visit SWA.org/Jobs to keep up with future job postings and sign up for notifications.

 
Volunteer Opportunities
Adopt-A-Spot

Saturday, Nov. 19
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Loggerhead Marine Life Center
Juno Beach

Sunday, Nov. 20
4 p.m.
Young Friends of Jupiter Beach
Jupiter 

 
Paint Your Heart Out
 
Saturday, Nov. 19
9 a.m.
Palm Beach Central High School National Honor Society
1-House in Lake Worth

Saturday, Dec. 3
9 a.m.
Men of Tomorrow
1-House in West Palm Beach

 
Rebuilding Together
 
Saturday, Dec. 3
9 a.m.
The Walsh Group
1-House in West Palm Beach
 
To volunteer for any of these events, contact Linda Moreno» at 561-697-2700, ext. 4717.
Save The Date
Celebrate America Recycles Day with the SWA!
Saturday, Nov. 19

8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
SWA Education Center
West Palm Beach

Explore the interactive touchtable and state-of-the-art Renewable Energy Facility 2 and deposit household hazards for safe disposal.


SWA Soiree and Run AWAY 5K
Sunday, April 2, 2017
New for 2017!
  • Improved 5K race course
  • On-site parking
  • Tours of renewable energy facility
  • Education Center with interactive touchtable
Green Team Community Events
To volunteer for any upcoming event, contact Linda Moreno» at 561-697-2700, ext. 4717.
Palm Beach County residents - get your free recycling bins! Pick them up at the SWA Administration Building during business hours, or have them dropped off to your home by ordering online»
SWA Videos
Palm Beach County residents can recycle home chemicals year-round!
Hear the America Recycles Day Radio ad»
Donate to Toys for Tots at the SWA»
November: Used Cooking Oil»
*Telly Award Winner
October: Move In, Clean Out»
We hope you enjoyed this issue of Waste Matters. For past issues, please visit our Waste Matters Archive» 

If you have any suggestions or comments on this issue, or have questions or topics you would like to see us cover in future issues, please email us»
SWA.org
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