CONTACT INFORMATION:
14 South Fort Harrison Avenue
Clearwater, Fl 33756
Customer Service (727) 464-4000
E-mail: custsrv@pinellascounty.org

October 26, 2006

Pinellas County Utilities Beach Recycling Pilot Program has come to a successful end. We learned that beach goers will recycle when bins are available and convenient! Over 99% of the residents and visitors surveyed at the beach said they would recycle if it was convenient, and 97% wanted the program to continue. Studying the waste stream, we found out that 40% of the total waste generated at the beach was recycled.

Beyond surveying beach goers and studying the waste stream, we also learned many other important lessons about operating a recycling program at the beach: which bins work the best, optimal placement of bins, most appropriate signage, operational issues, and the costs associated with a beach recycling program.

As a result of lessons learned in the pilot, many recommendations were made for establishing a beach recycling program. Although the pilot is over and the bins and signs are gone, we are evaluating the pilot recommendations, including resident feedback, to decide whether or not to continue or even expand the program that was started during the pilot. Your input will be helpful, just as it was during the pilot, so please contact us at recycle@pinellascounty.org to give feedback. Once everything is evaluated, we’ll share the status of an ongoing beach recycling program.

Thanks to all beach goers involved in the pilot, and also thanks to our project partners: the municipalities of Redington Shores, St. Pete Beach, and Treasure Island; Pinellas County Parks Department; Waste Management; and Kessler Consulting.

Source: www.pinellascounty.org/utilities

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