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Reducing Summer Waste

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Cool Eco-Friendly Summer Tips

Eight Tips for Reducing Waste at the Beach
1. Bring Re-usable BPA-FREE bottles for drinking
2. Don't use the aerosol spray suntan lotion or bug spray (aerosol cans are not recyclable)
3. Think outside the styrofoam cooler box (try to repurpose items for use as a cooler)
4. Wear a large wide-brimmed hat to protect you from the sun
5. Bring treats to the beach with little packaging (Fruit has 100% biodegradable packaging)
6. If you are a smoker bring your own ashtray or container for your cigarette butts
(Aluminum mint containers make a great travel ashtray)
7. Sit on a sheet or blanket that you can designate as a beach blanket. Reducing the need for washing.
8. Use reusable ice packs instead of ice in your cooler.

Ten Tips to a Eco-Friendly Backyard Barbeque
1. Use re-useable table cloths (select a table cloth that can be easily wiped off rather than one that needs to be machine washed.
2. Ice packs in the cooler instead of ice keep food and beverages cooler longer
3. Use silverware instead of plasticware: as dinner is wrapping up heat up a sink or container of hot water to soak the silverware
4. Place recycling containers in an obvious location near the garbage container.
5. Alert guests to the location of your recycling bin
6. If you compost make your composting regulations clear
7. Avoid aerosol suntan lotion and bug spray cans as they are not recyclable
8. Think about packaging when your purchase, less is best!
9. If you have a pool, have a drying rack handy for towels to dry in the sun. This will decrease the amount of towels used.
10. Instead of bottled water for guests consider a water cooler that can be refilled.

Travel Green this Summer

Be a green guest whether at a hotel or when staying with family and friends:
* Keep showers short and turn off the water while brushing your teeth.

* When leaving a room, turn off the air conditioning, heat, television, lights or any other electric devices.
* Reuse sheets and towels instead of having them changed every day. Many hotels will not replace towels if they are left hanging up neatly. If you are not sure, write a note for the housekeeping staff or notify the front desk.
* Bring toiletries and a drinking cup rather than using the prepackaged ones provided at many hotels.
* Know the hotel's recycling program and sort trash accordingly. If the hotel does not recycle, consider taking empty bottles or other items home to recycle them there.
* Give hotels feedback. Express appreciation for any eco-friendly programs or encourage the management to go green in the future.
* Check out Florida's Green Lodging Program

Drive green by following conservation tips for on-the-road travel:

* Have your car checked before you get on the road. Most repair shops will do this free of charge. Replacing air and fuel filters, changing oil regularly and properly inflating tires reduces air pollution and improves gas mileage.
* Avoid rapid acceleration or braking to reduce fuel consumption and use cruise control on highway trips.
* For any stop lasting more than a minute, shut off the engine rather than letting it idle.
* Bring bags for trash and recycling in the car with you to avoid litter and reduce landfill waste
* Avoid excess waste when stopping for a break. Choose snacks that waste less. Save money by bringing your own snacks.

Some information courtesy of Florida Department of Environmental Protection

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/news/2010/12/1217_01.htm

7 Tips for Back-to-school to Back-to-Green
Many parents have discovered that going 'green' can save 'green' in their wallets and can educate children.

1. Kids can be shopping-sleuths by searching for the recycling symbol indicating supplies made of recycled content.
2. Think beyond paper products in terms of recycled content: binders, staplers, art supplies, and pencils are just a few of recycled-content supplies sold in most stores.
3. Reduce waste by shopping for only the necessary supplies.
4. Encourage waste-free lunches by using a sturdy reusable lunch box, thermos or water bottle, sandwich holder or other reusable containers. Avoid single-use lunches and packaging. Buy in bulk rather than using individually-packed snacks - this reduces waste and saves money.

5. Reuse supplies from year to year such as a re-useable lunch box, a pencil case, a bookbag, or water bottle. Check notebooks and folders from last year. If these items are in good condition, reuse them.
6. Get involved in school recycling programs. All Pinellas County schools have access to recycling throughout Pinellas County.

7. Consider carpooling. Carpooling with current or future friends is fun for children and makes life easier for moms and dads. Start a walking school bus. A walking school bus plan reduces harmful exhaust emissions surrounding the school, encourages exercise and gives parents a chance to catch up with their kids before and after school.