Environmental Florida

The City of Orlando invites you to learn about recent advances and opportunities in the solar industry.The education session will be held on February 23, 2010 at 6:00 pm at City Hall. Orlando City Council Chambers. 400 S. Orange Ave. on the 2nd floor.

As part of the Green Building those in attendance will discover the benefits of solar power.

For more information, please contact Lillian Scott at 407.246.3273

Seminole County residents can take advantage of an upcoming free tire disposal day scheduled for January 16, 2010.  If you live in Seminole County you can take your old tires to the Central Transfer Station or the Seminole County Landfill from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  The free disposal day does not allow for businesses to drop of tires.  Call 407-665-2260 for more details.

Have you seen the signs on Florida highways that list a volunteer group who has agreed to adopt a specific section of Florida highway for litter control?  These signs are placed there by the Florida Department of Transportation to recognize the group or business that have agreed to pick up trash and litter left there by litter bugs.

Those who sign up for the adopt a highway agree to:

• Adopt a 2 mile section
• Agree to a 2 year adoption
• Pick up and remove litter a minimum of 4 times a year
• Follow DOT safety requirements

In order to adopt a highway you need to contact the DOT in your county.  You can find those numbers here.

Are you traveling or vacationing in Florida and are looking for places to stay?  Is it important that your lodgings be green?  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has a green lodging map that you can use to search for green lodging properties.

Florida residents can participate in the International Coastal Cleanup - September 19, 2009

New plant to research ways to make environmentally friendly versions of petroleum products according to press release from University of Florida.

Florida boaters can take the clean boater pledge in an effort to preserve Florida waterways.

Clean boaters pledge to:

As a Clean Boater I Pledge To:

• Keep Florida’s waterways free of trash and recycle.
• Practice proper fueling techniques.
• Use pumpout facilities.
• Support Florida Clean Marinas, Clean Boatyards and Clean Marine Retailers whenever possible.
• Promote clean boating habits and the Clean Boater program to fellow boaters.
• Remember that a clean environment ALWAYS starts with ME.

To sign the pledge card and receive additional information visit the Florida Clean Boater Program webpage.

Florida residents can calculate personal or family’s greenhouse gas emissions by using the EPA’s online calculator.

EPA calculator

Video dealing with cleaner cars and gas emissions

The following video outlines the rising concern over ocean debris in this state, this country and the world.