Winter 2011

City of Sarasota Dunedin Features

Transitions to Weekly Collection, Firsts at Tampa Bay
Expands Recycling, Reduces CO2 Living Green Expo
By Don Ross, Kessler Consulting, Inc. By Mo Eppley, Tampa Bay Living Green Expo

eptember 1, 2010 marked a monumental

S change for the City of Sarasota as they made a

smooth transition from twice-weekly-garbage
collection to once-a-week, and expanded the
recyclable materials collected. Once-a-week garbage
collection had a positive effect on the environment,
not only by reducing landfill waste, but also reducing
CO2 emissions by 40 tons per year and using 3,800
fewer gallons of fuel.
The city expanded its curbside recycling collection
program and now accepts the following additional
materials: Plastics #3-7; aluminum foil, food trays
More than two thousand eco-enthusiasts
and wrappers; aseptic and gable top containers;
attended the Tampa Bay Living Green Expo
empty aerosol cans; telephone directories; and pizza
for the first time in the City of Dunedin on
boxes. Residents can now also place the following
October 16-17, 2010. Expo patrons learned
items curbside for recycling: E-waste, tires, used oil
ways to live a more sustainable and eco-
and used oil filters. Sarasota residents are not only
friendly lifestyle to benefit their households,
able to recycle more, they are also saving $3.00 per
businesses and community.
month on their solid waste and recycling services.
The popular event, now in its sixth year,
inaugurated the Dunedin Expo as the first
continued on page 7 time the event has been held twice in one
year. Among other firsts, the October expo
marked the first time the event was held in a
LEED certified building.
“Being a certified green city, we were very
excited to host the Tampa Bay Living Green
Expo in our LEED certified community
Center,”said Valerie Brown, City of Dunedin’s
sustainability coordinator. “The expo was a

continued on page 7

www.recyclefloridatoday.org
 Letter from the Chair

photo albums, promotions and

2010-11
RFT Leadership
Board of Directors
Chair
Susan Chapman
Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County
schapman@swa.org
Vice Chair, Nominations Committee Chair
Don Ross
Kessler Consulting
dross@kesconsult.com
Treasurer
Kim Brunson
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Kim.Brunson@publix.com
Secretary
Rob Eck
Rehrig Pacific Company
reck@rehrigpacific.com
Directors
Karen Bryant
Pasco County Schools
kbryant@pasco.k12.fl.us
Larry Dalla Betta
WM Recycle America
ldallabetta@wm.com
Lena Davie
Hill and Knowlton
lena.davie@hillandknowlton.com
Daniel Dietch
CH2M HILL
Daniel.Dietch@CH2M.com
Betsy Dorn
R. W. Beck, Inc.
bdorn@rwbeck.com
Dee Dee Green
Escambia County
ddgreen@co.escambia.fl.us
Steve Lengefeld
SP Recycling Corporation
steve.lengefeld@spnewsprint.com
Jim Reece
Okaloosa County Recycling Office
jreece@co.okaloosa.fl.us
Ex-Officio Director
Phil Bresee
Broward County Office of Integrated Waste Mngt.
pbresee@broward.org
Committee Chairs
Communications
Newsletter Editor
Conference & Education
Legislative
Membership
Nominations
Organics
Sponsorship
561-640-4000, x4315
813-971-8333, x16 Susan Chapman
863-688-7407, x53292
Hello to you all !
As the New Year begins,
Recycle Florida Today's only
352-461-3788
resolution is to continue to
provide our membership with
727-774-2752 leading industry news, education,
events, and networking
813-394-1325 opportunities. During the past six
months, the RFT Board and
813-775-6207
committees have been
strategically planning for the
305-443-6401, x59123
future of the organization
561-337-8929 beginning with the
implementation of the ad-hoc
850-937-2159 “Re-branding Committee.” As
part of the re-branding efforts,
321-427-0001 RFT will launch a new website
that features a “Member Only
850-609-6168
Area,” so members have access
to online networking forums,
Lena Davie
Marissa Segundo
Pam Shoemaker
Ray Moreau
Karen Bryant
Don Ross
Jim Reece
Larry Dalla Betta
events. You can also look for the
new, innovative logo that's been
developed to move the
organization forward.
RFT will once again partner
with SWANA for the Issues Forum
Winter Conference. A mix of
concurrent and joint sessions is
scheduled for January 26 in
Orlando. Our expectations are
high for this event — to be filled
with dynamic sessions, speakers,
presentations and networking.
The 75% goal is here so fasten
your seat belts and get ready
to listen, learn and take away
valuable information! Moving
forward to June, the RFT Annual
Conference and Expo will be held
June 5-7, with more details to
follow as we begin the planning
process.
I'd like to extend a special
thanks to all of our Sponsors,
Board of Directors and
Membership. This organization
would not be successful without
you!
Warmest regards,
Susan N. Chapman

e
Ad-Hoc Collegiate

l
Vacant

Recycle Florida Today, Inc.

Heather Armstrong, Association Manager
P. O. Box 15889 recyc
Tallahassee, FL 32317
Phone:( 850) 907-1278
Fax: (850) 907-1293
Email: info@recyclefloridatoday.org
www.recyclefloridatoday.org

Unless otherwise noted, the opinions expressed in Renewable

News are those of the author of the respective article and not
necessarily the opinions of Recycle Florida Today, Inc.

2
 Recycling Round of Applause
Kudos for remarkable recycling and waste reduction
efforts across the state!

We would like to thank Pat Freed for her two years of

dedicated service as the RFT Renewable News Editor.
Pat expressed how much this rewarding experience 2011
meant to her and that she enjoyed working with all of
the RFT members. Sponsors
RFT would like to acknowledge
Goodwill Industries of Southwest and thank our 2011 Sponsors.
Florida receives the WRAP (Waste
Reduction Awards Program) award
from Collier County. Environmental Partners
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
WRAP awards are given to offices, Solid Waste Authority of Palm
institutions, and retail merchants who Beach County
have integrated new, expanded, WM/Recycle America
exceptional or innovative recycling and
waste reduction efforts. The awards are given quarterly as part of Collier
County Solid Waste Management's efforts to prolong the useable life of the Recycling Sustainers
Collier County Landfill, and to promote waste reduction and recycling. Alachua County Division of
Waste Management
Accepting the award from left to right: Robert Randall, VP of Retail Operations; Jennifer Nelson,
Sr. Director of Retail Operations; Jody Jacoby, Recycling and Salvage Supervisor; and Tom SP Recycling Corporation
Feurig, President and CEO.
Patrons
Southern Waste Systems, and its sister company, Sun Recycling, were awarded American Chemistry Council
the 2010 Governor's Business Diversification Award in the category called CH2M HILL
Green-to-Gold.”
“G Highlands Board of County
The Governor's Business Diversification Award was awarded to just 18 Florida Commissioners
companies. Southern Waste Systems was only Kessler Consulting, Inc.
one of three businesses in the tri-county area Rehrig Pacific Company
to receive the prestigious award. The criteria Sage Eco Solutions, Inc.
used to select winning companies include Southern Waste Systems
successful job creation, distinctive community
involvement and investment efforts. The
awards were presented during a special Contributor
American Chemistry Council
ceremony on September 22 in Tallahassee.
(L to R) Charles Lomangino, Charles
Sun Recycling is Florida's largest independent
Gusmano, SWS and Sun Recycling, and
recycler of construction and demolition debris,
John A. Adams Jr., President & CEO
Enterprise Florida
which accounts for 30% of all the state's waste.
The company, based in Lantana, has grown from one facility to ten, employing Want to learn more about
nearly 400 Floridians. For more information, www.southernwastesystems.com. becoming a sponsor of
Recycle Florida Today?

(L to R) Lindsay Cregger (President),
Emily Archer (Recycling Chairperson),
Susan Alexander (Head Custodian),
Michael Pemberton (Vice-President),
Kelly Murphy (Treasurer)
Download a
Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach, FL
sponsorship form
receiving framed Appreciation Award as the top today!
paper recycling school. The Interact Club helped
fellow students to recycle more than 16 tons of
recycled paper, double what the second highest,
area school collected.
Every day the Interact Club members stop by each
classroom to collect the paper recycling as part of
the fundraising program offered by SP Recycling
Corporation.

3
 RFT 2011 Issues Forum
“Working Together to Achieve 75%”

Start 2011 off by being a part of Florida's premier education forum held jointly by Recycle Florida Today and the
SWANA Florida Sunshine Chapter. Register today for an opportunity to network and gain education from the two leading
recycling and solid waste professional organizations in Florida. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity. Last year's
event was tremendously successful and may not happen again soon.
New this year, RFT/SWANA will be hosting an “Environmental Round Robin” networking and interactive discussion
session. Attendees will be able to “speed discuss” important environmental issues impacting our state, areas of interest
and other hot topics. There will be four 20-minute sessions where attendees can select a topic-specific table to discuss
or listen to other fellow professionals on that specific matter. The goal is to encourage constructive discussion and
thought sharing in an interactive and educational environment.

AGENDA
Tuesday January 25, 2011

TIME RFT Track SWANA Track

SWANA Board Meeting

2:00 to 4:00 p.m. RFT Board Meeting
(until 5:00 p.m.)

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Evening Mixer Networking Reception

Wednesday January 26, 2011

TIME RFT Track SWANA Track

7:30 to 8:15 a.m. Registration Open and Continental Breakfast

Welcome & Opening Remarks Welcome & Opening Remarks

8:15 to 8:30 a.m.
Susan Chapman, RFT Chair David Deans, Chapter President

RFT Session #1 SWANA Session #1 (Panel)

8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
The New RFT and How It Benefits You Collection Service Alternatives

RFT Session #2 (Panel)

SWANA Session #2 (Panel)
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Data: Tracking, Management,
Public/Private Partnersips
and Measurement

10:30 to 10:45 a.m. Morning Networking Refreshment Break

4
 January 25-26, 2011
Doubletree Resort Orlando, FL

Wednesday January 26, 2011 (continued)

TIME RFT Track SWANA Track

RFT/SWANA Joint General Panel Session:
10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
What Will an Integrated Solid Waste System Look Like at 75%?

12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Networking Lunch

1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Environmental Round Robin

2:30 to 2:45 p.m. Afternoon Networking Refreshment Break

Closing Session:
2:45 to 4:15 p.m.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Invited)

4:15 p.m. Issues Forum Adjourned

CONFERENCE INFORMATION
Recycle Florida Today, Inc.
Post Office Box 15889
Tallahassee, FL 32317-5889
Phone: (850) 907-1278
Fax: (850) 907-1293
E-mail: info@recyclefloridatoday.org

Register online TODAY at:

www.recyclefloridatoday.org

Conference Fees
$125.00 Member rate
$225.00 Non-member rate Hotel Accommodations
DoubleTree Resort
You may make online payments using the Recycle Florida 10100 International Drive
Today, Inc. Secure On-Line Payment System by choosing Orlando, FL 32821
“Online Payment System” at www.recyclefloridatoday.org Phone: (407) 352-1100
Payment methods include: Group room rate: $109.00
•Check (Make checks payable to: RFT, Inc.)
•Purchase Order
•Credit Card

5
6
City of Sarasota Transitions
continued from page 1

Marketing and outreach included a designated
website and customer service number, postcards
featuring new collection day and expanded recycling
program information, flyers with maps of collection
routes and pick-up days, weekly reminder Post-Its®
placed on garbage containers, magnets featuring
new collection day, utility bill stuffers, several media
releases, newspaper articles, and email blasts.
Ongoing education and outreach efforts have also
been extended to reach the winter-only residents in
an effort to notify them of changes that occurred
while they were away. Additionally, “we noticed” tags
were created to alert residents when recycling bins
are not consistently set out or when recyclables are
found in the garbage. This action was taken to ensure
residents comply with the city's mandatory recycling
ordinance and reduce the need for additional
garbage containers.
Waste Management, Inc. was selected as the
city's hauler and transfer station operator through a
competitive procurement process. Hauler
involvement was a critical part of the project. As soon
as the new hauler was identified, planning for the
transition began, and a team of city employees,
Waste Management staff, and Kessler Consulting
representatives began a three-month education,
outreach and operational planning process to ensure
a smooth transition.
Through careful planning, strong communication,
effective outreach, and a well-cultivated public-
private partnership with its new hauler and transfer
station operator, the changes were implemented with
minimal disruption or inconvenience to residents,
businesses or stakeholders. Forming a strong
partnership between the municipality, hauler and
transfer station resulted in a smooth and successful
solid waste and recycling program transition.

Dunedin Features Firsts

continued from page 1

perfect fit for our city and offered a wonderful

opportunity to provide our residents with
education about diverse green topics and
services,” said Brown.
The Expo was a unique opportunity for vendors
to feature their eco-friendly products and services,
like REAL Building Group, designer and renovator
of green homes; DayLight Concepts, solar-
powered lighting systems; and the Southwest
Florida Water Management District, to teach
visitors about water conservation.
Educational speakers and exhibits including
plug-in hybrid cars were featured to emphasize
the educational aspect of
this two-day event.
Tampa Bay Living
Green Expo will return
on April 2nd and 3rd to
St. Petersburg's historic
Coliseum. Information on
vendor and sponsorship opportunities are
available at www.tampabaylivinggreenexpo.org.

7
St. Petersburg Welcomes Curbside Recycling
By Michael Connors, Administrator, Public Works

The wait was over for St. Petersburg residents

eager to see Waste Services of Florida (WSI) curbside
recycling trucks finally arrive on their streets. The
largest city in Pinellas County, population 245,000,
welcomed a citywide volunteer curbside recycling
program on October 1, 2010. St. Petersburg residents
received weekly residential curbside collection service
on a voluntary subscription basis for only $2.75 a
month, paid annually.
The City of St. Petersburg's bid with WSI required
no minimum number of subscriptions. Recyclables to
be collected include newspaper, cardboard, aluminum
cans, metal cans, glass and plastic.
Photo courtesy of Lara Cerri/St. Petersburg Times
“Residents have been asking for this service for
(10/1/2010, St. Petersburg) Logan Anderson of Waste
quite some time,” said Mayor Bill Foster. “I am thrilled Services, Inc. of Florida picks up curbside recycling in St.
we have this opportunity to partner with WSI to provide Petersburg Friday in the Crescent Lake neighborhood. The
curbside recycling at such a reasonable cost.” voluntary weekly service will collect newspaper, cardboard,
aluminum cans, metal cans, glass and plastic.
William Krimmel, WSI District Manager added, “We
are very excited about partnering with the city of St.
Petersburg on their curbside recycling initiative. We
WSI also readies a city-wide curbside service for
look forward to servicing city residents as they assist
the City of Indian Rocks Beach beginning on
in their community becoming more green.”
January 1, 2011. The City of Indian Rocks Beach,
WSI, employs approximately 900 employees in population 5,127, has been recycling newspaper
Florida of which 128 are employed in Pinellas County. curbside and servicing 11 drop off recycling
Waste Services has 13 current clients in the Bay area. centers. The partnership with WSI will enable an
It serves 10,000 homes in Pinellas, 27,000 homes in expansion of curbside recycling for single-family
Sarasota and 90,000 in Hillsborough. homes and some multi-family complexes.

U.S. Largest Pipe Recycler to Arrive in Tampa

By Paul Benvenuti, Commercial Plastics Recycling, Inc.

Recycling options for large plastic ground pipes to
expand at Tampa-based plastics recycler, Commercial
Plastics Recycling, Inc. (CPR). The ZRS1500-model
shredder by Zerma, can shred and grind plastic pipe
up to 48 inches in diameter and 25 feet long.
“Until now, we had only been able to safely handle
pipe eight inches in diameter or less,” said CPR,
President Ben Benvenuti. “We feel this will give us the
ability to grow as the construction industry returns to
Florida in the near future,” said Benvenuti.
Requests for recycling of larger diameter pipes
have increased in recent years. Much of large plastic
ground pipe is destined for U.S. landfills due to lack
of recycling processing capability.
“We have seen a consistent demand for ground
plastic pipe and this new equipment will allow us to
meet that demand,” said Benvenuti.
CPR's 52,000 square foot headquarters in Tampa
will expand by 10,000 square feet to accommodate
the new infrastructure. For 14 years, CPR has
recycled plastics at their Tampa headquarters. They
have facilities in West Virginia and North Carolina.

8
 SERDC Study: Demand for Recycled
Materials Fuels Economy in Southeast
A two-year study by the Southeast Recycling
Development Council (SERDC), documented the
heavy regional presence of manufacturers that
depend on post-consumer recycled glass, plastic,
paper, aluminum and steel to make consumer and
industrial products.
The study finds that more than 206 key
industrial facilities across the southeast depend on
recycled feedstocks that flow from community and
commercial recycling efforts. These companies
collectively employ more than 47,525 persons and
see a sales volume exceeding $29.4 billion per year.
The motivation behind this project lies in connecting
recycling's impact to the southeast's strong
manufacturing base.
“Some of the nation's and world's largest
recycling end-users call our region home.
Unfortunately, many have to look beyond the
southeast to find materials, while these same
commodities are disposed in landfills across the
southeast,” said SERDC Chairman Steve Carreras.
Organics Update
With the stated goal of advancing organics
recycling in the State of Florida the RFT Organics
Committee definitely needs your input and
participation as we move forward with meeting the
State's goal of a 75% recycling rate by the year
2020.
We are also committed to monitoring organics
legislation and formulating a consensus among the
organics community in Florida as to the potential
impact of proposed legislation upon the industry.
No doubt you are aware that the Florida
Legislature voted on November 15, 2010 to override
the Governor's veto on House Bill 569 repealing the
ban on yard waste from burial in Florida landfills.
CLICK HERE for more information
9
By Will Sagar, SERDC Policy Director
In an effort to collaborate across state lines,
SERDC works to build effective recycling collection
systems that deliver local supplies of valuable
materials to manufacturers who employ 10's of
thousands of people in the region.
“When communities invest in local recycling
collection programs in the southeast, they ensure a
flow of commodities to some of our most important
businesses that has a much smaller carbon
footprint than material coming from California or
New York,” explains Scott Mouw, SERDC board
member and director of North Carolina's recycling
program.
Findings of the research are housed in an
interactive web database on SERDC's website,
www.serdc.org/regionalresources. Regional
economic reports and state-specific fact cards are
also available for download. This project was made
possible in part with grants from the Environmental
Protection Agency - Region 4 and the Alabama
Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
By Jim Reece, Organics Chair, Recycle Florida Today
This will certainly be a topic of discussion at
upcoming RFT events and we hope that you will
consider joining our committee's efforts to
accomplish the goals stated above.
In addition, the Florida Organics Recycling
Center for Excellence (FORCE) in conjunction with
Kessler Consulting, Inc will be conducting Compost
Operator Training at three locations around the
state beginning January 2011. Please check the
FORCE website for the dates and location:
http://www.floridaforce.org.
Together we can minimize organics waste in
Florida.
10
 Hernando County Opens MRF
and Expands Landfill Capacity
Hernando County celebrated the completion of its
Landfill Cell #3 and grand opening of the county's
first privately operated Materials Recovery Facility
(MRF) on September 2, 2010. Tours of the facility
were open to the public during their grand opening
and ribbon cutting.
“With increasing population and we predicted the
need for more landfill space,” said Scott Harper,
Director of Hernando County Landfill. “The additional
disposal space and a state-of-the-art MRF will
accommodate our growing community, “said Harper.
Construction on Cell #3 began four years ago at a
cost of approximately six million dollars. The new cell
has the capacity of holding 3.4 million cubic yards of
waste with a life expectancy of 15 years.
The county is placing renewed emphasis on
recycling to eliminate recyclable tonnage from the
landfill. The county's recycling facility will be operated
11
By Graceanna Henderson Recycling Specialist, SP Recycling
by SP Recycling Corporation, a 30-year old multifaceted
recycling company operating 22 plants, 12 of which
are in Florida.
“We are pleased to be able to serve the citizens of
Hernando County and meet their increasing recycling
needs,” said Tom Kimsey, SP's Florida Regional
Manager.
Items recycled in Hernando County include
newspaper, paper, phonebooks, cardboard, plastic
bottles #1 & 2, steel and aluminum cans. Hernando
County Landfill also accepts electronic, or E-waste.
SP Recycling Corporation is the procurement arm of
SP Newsprint Company, LLC — the nation's largest
producer of 100% recycled newsprint. SP Recycling is
also known for its fundraising-recycling program
offered throughout the southeast. SP Recycling has
several successful recycling facilities with public-private
partnerships throughout Florida.
“The best friend of earth — of man, is the
tree. When we use the tree respectfully and
economically, we have one of the greatest
resources on the earth.”
~ Frank Lloyd Wright
 A Message from RFT Membership Chair:
The Value of Renewable Relationships
By Karen Bryant, RFT Board Member & Membership Committee Co-Chair

What can your Recycle Florida Today, Inc.

(RFT) do for you?
Have you attended an RFT function? Networked There is significant value for member as our membership-
or made a life-long friendship through RFT base grows. With your assistance more professionals can
membership? You are a member of a professional benefit from an RFT membership. Thanks for your support!
association among individuals engaged in the If you have questions about the membership committee,
business of recycling and to assist individual please contact Adam Schlachter, Membership Chair or
members in improving skills and techniques in Karen Bryant, Membership Co-Chair.
recycling. RFT provides education, special studies,
research, and the exchange of ideas and technical
knowledge related to all forms of recycling.
RFT also provides a forum for public, private and
non-profit recyclers to mutually discuss and resolve
recycling issues; to inform the public, law-making
bodies and the business community of the
economic significance and importance of recycling,
and to demonstrate the high professional standards
of those involved in the business of recycling. This is
“ ” RFT has provided me with professional
connections I would not have otherwise
encountered alone.

~ Marissa Segundo, City of Largo

accomplished through sponsorship of and

participation in educational meetings, research and
publication of articles, reports, statistics, and other
material.

“ I have been an RFT member for 5 years

and I enjoy keeping up on the latest
issues and technology in recycling.

”
~ Adam Schlachter, Eco-Minded, LLC

Do you know a potential RFT member?

Now more than ever RFT needs member support.
Being a member is more than saying that you belong
to the organization, it is about providing feedback on
the organizations' services and participating in RFT's
committees to help develop a stronger organization.
Talk with your colleagues, vendors, and friends about
the value of being a member of RFT.
Help to strengthen RFT by continuing to
participate and by bringing in new members that
make our membership and organization stronger.

12
 Illegal Dumping and Pay-As-You-Throw:
Should You be Worried?
Lisa Skumatz, Principal Skumatz Economic Research Associates Inc.(SERA)
Pay-As -You-Throw can be one of the strongest
tools in a municipality or county's kit for reaching
75% diversion, according to recent research.
However, invariably, one of the first questions
municipalities ask about pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) is
its impact on the incidence of increased illegal
dumping.
A series of surveys and interviews with hundreds
of communities conducted over the past two
decades by Skumatz Economic Research Associates
Inc. (SERA) have found that the vast majority of
communities that adopt PAYT do not report
increased incidences of illegal dumping. More often,
communities report that illegal dumping is a
“perceived” barrier and not an actual barrier.
The few communities that report an increase of
illegal dumping after implementing PAYT also report
that illegal dumping returns to pre-PAYT levels within
one to three months.
SERA 2010 National Community Survey
During a 2010 national survey conducted by
SERA, communities with PAYT programs in place
were asked to rank illegal dumping before and after
Results of 2010 Community Survey
Ranking Before PAYT
A — No problem at all
B — Very slight issue
C — Medium problem
D — Large issue
F — Huge problem
Don’t know/Wasn’t there
implementing PAYT on an A to F scale (where an A
means that there is no incidence of illegal dumping
and F means it is a huge problem). After
implementation, none of the communities with PAYT
reported that illegal dumping was a huge problem,
and those that reported a D decreased from 21% to
14% after implementing PAYT.
SERA 2009 National Community Survey
In a 2009 national survey SERA researchers
asked communities to report whether or not they
had PAYT and they also asked communities to rank
illegal dumping. There was very little difference in
the issue of illegal dumping between communities
with and without PAYT.
Overall, research concurs that PAYT is an
effective single program a community can take to
reach diversion goals and despite the fear and
threat of increased illegal dumping, the results of
SERA research show that PAYT in and of itself does
not lead to increased illegal dumping.
For more information on PAYT studies, contact
SERA Principal Dr. Skumatz at (303)494-1178 or
skumatz@serainc.com.
After PAYT
0% 0%
21% 43%
7% 7%
21% 14%
7% 0%
43% 28%
13
 ‘Trashion’ Designers Hit the Runway at City of
Largo's 4th Annual Recycled Fashion Show
One person's trash is another person's
...fashion? The City of Largo's fourth annual
Trashy Fashion Show dazzles the runway with
more than 30 innovative ‘trashion’ designs on
April 22, 2011 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Largo
Cultural Center. In celebration of Earth Day,
amateur eco-designers of all ages will model
fashions made of 75 percent re-purposed or
recycled material.
The Largo Cultural Center will be converted
into a high-end fashion show with music, lights
and a 30-foot catwalk. CBS's Studio 10 hosts
Holly Sinn and Jerome Ritchie will emcee the
event. The winners will be selected by a panel
of judges including environmentalists, fashion
editors and designers. Winners will be selected
by age category to receive cash prizes.
Trashy Fashion Show designers, as well as
attendees, learn about the impact of their
waste and the importance finding alternative
Rhonda Renee Recycles Reinforces
Recycling Message in Leon County
By Carole P. Gentry, Leon County Community Education Coordinator
Leon County Solid Waste & Recycling Leon County
Recycling has a new way to “talk trash” to students.
The Rhonda Renee Recycling Show is a music and
game show designed to teach elementary school
students about garbage and recycling. Students learn
about how much garbage we make, where it all goes
and how to make less by using the three R's.
Rhonda Renee Recycles conducts group
sing-alongs with songs she wrote.
Students and teachers are called out by
name to “come on down” to play recycling
games with the host during the show.
This fun-filled, educational show is the
brainchild of Carole P. Gentry, Education
Coordinator for Leon County Solid Waste
and Recycling and Cyndy Brantley, Recycling
Coordinator for Leon County. The
coordinators wanted a new and memorable
14
By Marissa Segundo, Recycling Coordinator City of Largo
waste solutions. Each ‘trash’ion designer is required
to submit an environmental fact to be read on stage
that corresponds with the contents of their design.
Attendees also enjoy a free pre-show Green
Room gathering from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring business
and organizations that have a
true passion for sustainable
environmental practices.
Alternative transportation
options, recycled products,
environmental education and
green living solutions are
just a few of the vendors
in the Green Room.
Sponsorship and
vendor opportunities are
available. For more
information, log on to
www.LargoRecycles.com or
call (727)586-7424.
way to present their garbage and recycling message.
Rhonda's costume makes their recycling message
unforgettable.
An HDPE detergent bottle skirt and aluminum can
flowers in her bright blue and green hair make up
Rhonda's reused materials costume. Inmates
collected and rinsed detergent bottles for the skirt
construction. Volunteers saved and cut aluminum
cans. A local high school student helped piece
together the skirt. A thrift-store denim skirt is
the base for the detergent bottles. Carole sewed
the top and bloomers from discounted fabric.
The show utilizes one volunteer to help with
loading the equipment and hooking up the sound
system at the schools. Rhonda Renee Recycles
visited 10 schools since her introduction at the
beginning of October. Over 3,000 students in Leon
County have met Rhonda Renee Recycles.
 Sponsor Recycle Florida Today!
Benefits — Sponsoring Recycle Florida Today a great opportunity to show your support!
(RFT) helps the organization to better serve our We offer a range of opportunities to join RFT as an
members as the leading recycling association for annual sponsor with a diverse list of benefits. If you
the state of Florida. Through the sponsorship, you would like more information on how you can partner
will receive memberships, registrations to RFT with Florida's leading recycling association, please
Issues Forums and the Annual Conference in contact RFT at (850) 907-1278 for more information
addition to education, special studies, research, or visit online at www.recyclefloridatoday.org.
and the exchange of ideas and technical
Do you have newsworthy stories that would be
knowledge related to all forms of recycling.
beneficial for RFT members? Share them with us;
Recognition — Our sponsors receive e-mail your news release to rftnewseditor@gmail.com.
recognition at all RFT events, are featured on our
association website and members only area, and
have an opportunity to be showcased as sponsor
of the month. Sponsors are included on
association e-mails that reach thousands annually,
are provided with multiple industry-related
contacts, networking opportunities, and more. It's

“Don’t follow trends — start trends.” ~ Frank Capra

Mark Your Calendar!

FREE Compost Facility Operator Course series held by
January 25-26, 2011 Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence (FORCE)
“Working Together to Achieve 75%” January 6-7, 2011
RFT 2011 Issue Forum Polk County Waste Resource Management Division
Orlando, Florida 10 Environmental Loop S.
DoubleTree Resort on International Drive Winter Haven, FL 33880
January 10-11, 2011
Hillsborough County Extension Service
5339 South CR 579
June 5-7, 2011 Seffner, FL 33584
2011 RFT Annual Conference
and Exhibition January 13-14, 2011
Lido Beach Resort Tallahassee Community College
700 Ben Franklin Drive Center for Workforce Development
Sarasota, Florida 444 Appleyard Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32304

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