The State of Florida has an ambitious goal of recycling 75% of its solid waste by 2020. As a community of 24 towns, Pinellas County had achieved a combined recycling rate which includes a combustion credit for burning garbage to generate electricity and recover the metals for recycling, of 63% by year-end 2014, the most recent data available. This is one of the highest in the State, according to the County’s Solid Waste Technical Management Committee.
Jan Tracy, County Solid Waste Program Coordinator, told Paradise News, “We have reached this level through a combination of public outreach and education on waste reduction and reuse, strong household recycling, yard waste recycling, household electronics and chemical waste recycling and reuse, and combustion of solid waste to generate electricity and metals recovery.”
“In Pinellas County we view ‘garbage’ as a resource. We don’t just provide for disposal of solid waste, we provide and promote ‘resource management’. We operate an integrated waste management program in partnership with our 24 municipalities. Our joint mission is to insure that solid waste generated in the County is properly managed and disposed of in an environmentally-sound manner.
“Our focus is on maximizing recovery in ways that conserve natural resources and protect public health. Recycling and conservation are key components to achieve that mission.”
Speaking for the County Commission, John Morroni told Paradise News, “Our Pinellas Recycling Program is so important to the Community that we have included recycling as part of the Pinellas Strategic Plan. Practicing superior environmental stewardship in the county is an integral part of our Strategic Plan in serving the public. Reducing and reusing resources to provide energy is a no brainer and I hope more governmental entities would include this type of responsible management in their plans!”
Tracy continued, “It’s very important to read the labels for curbside recycling in your community as we don’t want to contaminate the recycling bins with trash. Plastic bottles should be empty and have necks. Other main focuses include no plastic bags or wrap, as they get caught in the recycling processing equipment and no Styrofoam of any kind in curbside or drop-off recycling containers. Plastic shopping bags and newspaper sleeves may be recycled at grocery and big box type stores. Styrofoam egg cartons and food trays may be recycled at Publix stores. Also, paper towels are not recyclable and should be placed in the trash.”
“All items recycled in Pinellas County are processed at a MRF (municipal recycling facility). Materials collected for recycling in Pinellas County are taken to MRFs in our area. They are separated according to the item. Sorting is done using magnets, air blowers, screens, optical readers, and limited manual labor. Sorted items are then baled — after processing there is a bale of newspaper, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard, etc. The bales are then sold to different companies that will recycle the material to make new products”.
“Pinellas County recycling contracts require all items recycled at County Collection Centers and the Beach Recycling Program be recycled, not landfilled. All materials placed in the trash are burned to generate electricity to power 40,000 Pinellas homes every day.
“Our staff can help coordinate recycling efforts and/or provide educational exhibits for any community event – homeowners associations, art shows, school carnivals, festivals and employee, sporting and food events. You can borrow recycling bins or our Recyclin’ Roadie, a brightly painted mobile recycling trailer that can be parked to collect recyclables. For information, call 727-464-7500 or email recycle@pinellascounty.org”
Visit http://www.pinellascounty.org /solidwaste/recycle.htm for an A-Z Guide on how to get rid of things and more, or pick up a current copy of Pinellas County’s publication, “Recycle Today” at area libraries and city halls.
Every Household Helps
Andi and Jerry McDonald have been in St. Pete Beach since 2004, coming from Massachusetts a huge recycling state. “Recycling is such an easy way to do our bit for the eco system,” Andi tells Paradise News. “For me, my goal is always to have more in my recycling bins than in my trash each week”.
“To that end, we recycle all paper that comes into the house, not just newspapers and magazines: All junk mail, regular mail (after removing address); all envelope contents such as ads or even bills no longer needed once identifying info is removed; paper receipts without identifying info; and if you have a shredder, the shredding confetti can be recycled in a paper bag”.
“One item I notice that ends up in a lot of trash barrels instead of recycling bins is cardboard packing boxes. These can be flattened and added to your recycle bin along with the thoroughly rinsed juice/milk/soup, etc. cartons. I flatten everything in my bins: water bottles, cans, laundry soap/ softener containers. etc., so that less space is used.
“A lot of people laugh at me and my efforts because they believe the recycling just ends up in trash landfills anyway. I sure hope not! For me, recycling is a means of responding to the eco issue of creating less garbage. It is such an easy way to leave less of a footprint on our earth.”
Other Recycling Options
Beach & Park Recycling Program: This County program provides over 600 recycling containers to County parks and participating County beach locations. These bright blue recycling containers are conveniently located next to trash cans for visitors. Primarily for aluminum cans and plastic drink bottles, the expanded program now accepts glass bottles, newspapers, magazines and drink cartons.
Business Recycling-Cutting Waste at Work: Businesses generate a majority of the County’s Solid Waste, and much of this could be reduced, reused, or recycled. The Cutting Waste at Work program provides free assistance to help businesses or non-profit organizations reduce waste and conserve resources. For information, call 727-464-7500 or email recycle@pinellascounty.org
Yard Waste Recycling & Free Mulch: Through this recycling program, leaves, branches and other forms of yard waste are processed into mulch, available free to the public. In Pinellas County over 100,000 tons of yard waste is recycled annually and available free at over 20 mulch sites. For a list of these sites, email recycle@pinellascounty.org
Reefs: This program is an innovative way to recycle demolition and construction debris such as old bridges or boats. Clean concrete and steel debris are used to construct artificial reefs. These underwater reefs create valuable habitats for fish and other sea life, which in turn benefits fishermen and divers.
Mobile Collections of Electronic and Chemical Waste: These are a convenient way for residents to safely dispose of household chemicals and electronics, such as old computers, TV’s, paint or fertilizer. This program is FREE to County citizens, with a modest fee for businesses. Mobile collection events are held on various Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm.
Two more local collection events are scheduled in our area this calendar year: Sept. 10, St. Petersburg College Allstate Center, 3200 34th St. S, and Nov. 5, Gulfport Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S. For the mobile collection schedule visit www.pinellascounty.org/solidwaste/mobile.htm
Other Options: Bring household electronic and chemical items year-round to the County permanent drop-off facility (HEC₃) at 2855 109th Ave. N, St. Petersburg,
M – F, 6 am – 6 pm, Sat. 7 am – 5 pm, closed Sundays & County Holidays. This includes household electronics such as cell phones, computer towers /CPUs (e,g, hard drives, CD drives), laptops, monitors, rechargeable batteries (remove from device, place device in garbage), smartphones, tablets, TV’s. Chemicals include automotive fluids, oils, fluorescent bulbs, fuels, cleaning supplies, paints and other chemicals. Businesses including non-profits and religious organizations, haulers, hobbyists, property managers and salvagers should visit the web for options. www.pinellascounty.org/bizwaste
Summing up, Pinellas County spokesperson Jan Tracy emphasizes, “Pinellas County residents should be proud of their recycling success to date. We still have a way to go to meet – and hopefully exceed the 75% goal by 2020. We believe that by working together with our residents and businesses in all our communities, we can reach it!”
Story by Steve Traiman
[Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Jan Tracy, Pinellas County; Andi McDonald, St. Pete Beach; and Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni, for their excellent comments.]
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com]
Pinellas County Towns’ Recycling Information
Gulfport:
Contact: Deanna Doss, 727-893-1089 ddoss@mygulfport.us
Curbside: Aluminum cans, flattened cardboard, mixed paper, newspapers, plastics #1-7, steel cans.
Drop-Off Recycling: Gulfport Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S: Flattened cardboard, all-color glass, mixed paper.
Madeira Beach:
Contact: Megan Wepfer, 727-543-8154 mwepfer@madeirabeachfl.gov
Curbside: No-cap empty aerosol cans, aluminum cans, aluminum foil/trays, flattened cardboard, cartons, all-color glass, mixed paper, newspapers, plastics #1-7, steel food cans. Drop-Off Recycling: Marina, 505 150th Ave.: Aluminum cans, flattened cardboard, all-color glass, mixed paper, newspapers, plastic containers #1-7, steel cans, metal jar lids.
South Pasadena:
Contact: Gary Anderson, 727-384-0701, pworks@mysouthpasadena.com
Curbside: Aluminum cans, flattened cardboard, cartons, all-color glass, mixed paper, newspapers, plastics #1-7, steel cans.
Drop-Off Recycling: Winn Dixie southwest corner of lot, 6851 Gulfport Blvd.: Aluminum cans, flattened cardboard, all-color glass, newspapers, plastics #1-7, steel cans.
St. Pete Beach:
Contact: John Kretzer, Public Works, 727-363-9247, j.kretzer@stpetebeach.org
Curbside: Aluminum cans, flattened cardboard, cartons, all-color glass, mixed paper, newspapers, plastics #1-7, steel cans.
St. Petersburg:
Contact: City Sanitation Dept., 727-893-7838, CurbsideRecycling@stpete.org.
Curbside & Alleys: Aluminum cans, flattened cardboard, cartons, all-color glass, mixed paper, newspapers, plastics #1-7, steel cans.
Recycling & Brush Sites: M-F, 9 am – 5;30 pm, Sat-Sun, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm: 1000 62nd Ave NE, 7750 26th Ave N, 2453 20th Ave N, 2500 26th Ave S, 4015 Dr. MLK Jr St. N: Aluminum cans, flattened cardboard, all-color glass, mixed paper, newspapers, plastics #1-7, steel cans, appliances/mixed metal, yard waste (loose brush). Other City sites, contact Sanitation Dept.
Treasure Island:
Contact: CJ Holloway, 727-547-4575 ext. 253 or 250, cjholloway@mytreasureisland.org
Curbside: No-cap empty aerosol cans, aluminum cans, flattened cardboard, cartons, all-color glass, mixed paper, newspapers, plastics #1-7, steel cans.
Drop-Off Recycling: Isle of Capri Rosselli Park, Capri Circle S. & Second St E; Downtown, Public Works at City Hall, 120 108th Ave; Paradise Island Treasure Bay, 10315 Paradise Blvd; Sunset Beach, West Gulf Blvd. at 82nd Ave.: No-cap empty aerosol cans, aluminum cans, flattened cardboard, cartons, all-color glass, mixed paper, newspapers, plastic bottles, steel cans.