In order for us to truly be green we know the importance of recycling and doing it the right way.  We have buckets used for recyclables and will bag them in blue recyclable bags that are then disposed of in the proper way.  We also are responsible for maintaining and recycling all the monofilament fishing line bins at Ocean Inlet Park.  It's imperative that we do things the right.  By only using buckets and grabbers and not plastic bags and gloves we do not add to the landfills.  We do not create waste such as plastic garbage bags not even being 1/4 filled.  We are responsible and leaders in doing green cleanups.  Do things the right way and come join us.




Sea Angels:  Robyn Halasz, Ashley Vickers, & Kathy Silverio collected 4 out of the 6 bags of recyclable material


FOR THE NEAREST RECYCLING TRANSFER CENTER PLEASE CLICK HERE


The 3 R's of the Environment

Every year, Americans throw away 50 billion food and drink cans, 27 billion glass bottles and jars, and 65 million plastic and metal jar and can covers. More than 30% of our waste is packaging materials. Where does it all go? Some 85% of our garbage is sent to a dump, or landfill, where it can take from 100 to 400 years for things like cloth and aluminum to decompose. Glass has been found in perfect condition after 4,000 years in the earth!

We are quickly running out of space. It's time to learn the three R's of the environment: reduce, reuse, recycle. Then practice what you preach: don't buy things you don't need or items that come in wasteful packaging or that cannot be recycled. Reuse and recycle whatever you can.

Reduce

Reducing the amount of waste you produce is the best way to help the environment. There are lots of ways to do this. For example:

  • Buy products that don't have a lot of packaging. Some products are wrapped in many layers of plastic and paperboard even though they don't need to be. You can also look for things that are packed in materials that don't require a lot of energy or resources to produce. Some products will put that information right on their labels.
  • Instead of buying something you're not going to use very often, see if you can borrow it from someone you know.
  • Cars use up energy and cause pollution. Some ways to reduce the environmental damage caused by cars include carpooling with friends, walking, taking the bus, or riding your bike instead of driving.
  • Start a compost bin. Some people set aside a place in their yard where they can dispose of certain food and plant materials. Over time, the materials will break down through a natural process called decomposition. The compost is good for the soil in your yard and means that less garbage will go to the landfill.
  • You can reduce waste by using a computer! Many newspapers and magazines are online now. Instead of buying the paper versions, you can find them on the Internet. Also remember that you should print out only what you need. Everything you print that you don't really need is a waste of paper.
  • Save energy by turning off lights that you are not using.
  • Save water by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth.
  • Lots of families receive a large amount of advertisements and other junk mail that they do not want. You can stop the mailings and reduce waste by writing to the following address and requesting that they take your name off of their distribution list.

Reuse

Instead of throwing things away, try to find ways to use them again! For example:

  • Bring cloth sacks to the store with you instead of taking home new paper or plastic bags. You can use these sacks again and again. You'll be saving some trees!
  • Plastic containers and reusable lunch bags are great ways to take your lunch to school without creating waste.
  • Coffee cans, shoe boxes, margarine containers, and other types of containers people throw away can be used to store things or can become fun arts and crafts projects. Use your imagination!
  • Don't throw out clothes, toys, furniture, and other things that you don't want anymore. Somebody else can probably use them. You can bring them to a center that collects donations, give them to friends, or even have a yard sale.
  • Use all writing paper on both sides.
  • Use paper grocery bags to make book covers rather than buying new ones.
  • Use silverware and dishes instead of disposable plastic utensils and plates.
  • Store food in reusable plastic containers.

Recycle

Many of the things we use every day, like paper bags, soda cans, and milk cartons, are made out of materials that can be recycled. Recycled items are put through a process that makes it possible to create new products out of the materials from the old ones.

In addition to recycling the things you buy, you can help the environment by buying products that contain recycled materials. Many brands of paper towels, garbage bags, greeting cards, and toilet paper, to name a few examples, will tell you on their labels if they are made from recycled materials.

In some towns you can leave your recyclables in bins outside your home, and a truck will come and collect them regularly. Other towns have recycling centers where you can drop off the materials you've collected. Things like paper and plastic grocery bags, and plastic and aluminum cans and bottles can often be brought to the grocery store for recycling. Whatever your system is, it's important to remember to rinse out and sort your recyclables!

PLEASE TAKE CARE TO RECYCLE PROPERLY

Although it's important to pick up our litter it's equally as important to dispose of it properly.  Recycling our trash preserves our natural resources, conserves energy, prevents pollution and protects our environment.

In Palm Beach County we are given yellow and blue bins for recycling.  Also there may be blue and yellow garbage receptacles in certain areas such as parks and beaches.  The lists below will instruct you how to recycle properly and what should go in each colored bin.

Plastic Containers #1 - #7

  • Steel Cans - NEW

  • Aluminum Cans, Foil and Pie Plates

  • Drink Boxes

  • Milk and Juice Cartons

  • Glass Bottles and Jars

Preferably, caps should be removed from the plastic bottles and thrown in the garbage. However, if they are left on, the bottle will still be recycled.  Information provided by Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County.

What you can do with plastic bottles

IRRIGATION SYSTEM FOR YOUR PLANTS:

Here's a way to reuse your plastic water bottles and help your plants at the same time.

Tools needed and Instructions:

  • 2 liter plastic bottle, with lid, (washed)
  • drill and drill bit
  • sharp knife
  • cutting surface

  1. Drill 4 - 8 holes in the lid. Small holes for a slow drip. Not too small - you don’t want to get them blocked by debris. Cut the bottom of the bottle off, using the knife.
  2. Dig a hole near the plants you want to water. Bury 1/3 - 1/2 of the bottle in the hole with the cap in the dirt (open side up).
  3. Now, pour water in it and presto - an irrigation system for your plants.
  4. Even better - fill your bottle irrigation with rain barrel water!