At Green Group Studio, we take our responsibility to the environment seriously. In fact, it’s what the “Green” in Green Group Studio stands for! Not only does our office and staff engage in eco-friendly practices, but we also encourage our neighbors and community to join us in doing their part as well, making a greener place for us and the generations to come. You can read all about how we’ve gone green and encouraged our clients to do the same here.
According to the Solid Waste Authority, Palm Beach County has one of the best recycling programs in the nation and has adopted Florida’s 75% waste reduction goal. For the last 30 years, the SWA has been providing efficient and convenient services to help us preserve our natural resources. Recycling is one of the easiest and simplest ways to make a difference in your community, whether at home or work.
Recycling at Home
PBC offers free recycling bins to all homes within the county, so there’s no reason not to! There are two different types of recycling bins—yellow and blue. Yellow recycling bins are for paper products, like:
- Newspapers
- Magazines and catalogs
- Unwanted mail
- School and office papers
- Phone books
- Paper bags
- Cardboard boxes
The SWA requests that all boxes be flattened and cut into 3′ x 3′ pieces. Yes, this does make recycling slightly more difficult for the person doing it, but we believe that our environment is worth those few extra seconds! The SWA also requests that shredded paper be placed in a brown paper bag with the top folded down to secure the shredded pieces. Unlike some other counties in the nation, Palm Beach County takes all types of boxes, including beverage cartons, tissue boxes, dry-food boxes, and corrugated cardboard.
Blue recycling bins are for all other recyclable items, including:
- Plastic containers #1–7
- Steel cans
- Aluminum cans
- Drink boxes
- Milk and juice cartons
- Glass bottles and jars
We’re lucky here in PBC, as many other counties don’t take plastic containers #1–7. It’s important to note that SWA does not recycle plastic bags. It’s best to return plastic bags to your local grocery store, as many recycle and/or reuse them.
Recycling at Work
According to the SWA, businesses in Palm Beach County “generate more than half of the 2.5 million tons of solid waste generated in PBC every year.”
The question now becomes: how can we, as a community, reduce the amount of waste we create?
PBC makes it as easy as possible to answer that question by offering FREE waste audits all across the county! A waste audit evaluates the amount of waste your company creates. During a waste audit, the county will determine the quantity of recyclable materials currently being disposed at your workplace, provide recommendations for cost reductions, provide a proposal for recycling program implementation, and provide employee education presentations. All this is all at no cost to companies!
When you request a waste audit, the SWA provides free desk-side collection bins, central collection bins, educational materials, and posters. The only downside is that the county does not offer free disposal pick up. However, what’s great about Palm Beach County is that even if your office or building doesn’t recycle, that’s no reason not to! PBC makes it as easy as possible for offices to start a recycling program, even if there is no on-site recycling collection. There are a number of different drop-off locations throughout PBC, most of which are accessible 24/7.
Yes, recycling does take some extra steps and a little extra time, but isn’t the environment worth it? Just think about the major impact this small effort will make on the world that we live in and for the future generations to come. For more information on how Green Group Studio helps Clients go green, or to learn more about the services that we provide, visit GreenGroupStudio.com or call 564-594-7336 today!
