Campus recycling takes giant leap forward
Scores of new recycling bins have arrived on Florida High campus over the past few months. The PTSA was able to obtain 18 large white recycling barrels from FSU which were strategically placed outdoors around campus for can and bottle recycling, allowing a concentrated and coordinated campuswide recycling effort to begin in areas such as the athletic fields that have not had recycling containers in the past. Fifty new green classroom recycling bins were also obtained from Leon County in January that will allow two bins for each classroom, one for paper and another one for cans/bottles. Thanks again to all the students who are making our recycling program a reality, as well as the faculty without whom the program wound not work: elementary teachers Suzanne Wilkinson, Amanda Tuttle and Rebecca Taylor, middle school teacher Amy Goodman, and high school’s Sal Guastella, as well as Derik Harris from the maintenance staff.
Trees, trees and more trees
Your dues continue to support the PTSA’s effort to provide some shade for campus visitors as our program enters its fifth year with the planting of about 16 more trees this winter. Seven will be planted on the main campus, with the rest going in the athletic fields area. Native species such as nutall oak, southern magnolia, winged elm, sycamore, beech, red cedar, tulip poplar, red maple, pecan, basswood, mulberry and black cherry were used. The trees are intended to provide protection from the harsh rays of the sun as well as general campus beautification. The PTSA has agreed to water and maintain the trees during their first year.
Paper yes, Styrofoam no
You can act individually to promote recycling by using paper products instead of styrofoam. Styrofoam is not biodegradable and tends to last forever, making it a product that essentially never goes away. It is also manufactured using hydrofluorocarbons that have negative impacts on our ozone layer. Finally, it is not usually recycled, though Leon County does offer styrofoam recycling at the Apalachee Parkway landfill (phone 606-1800). On the other hand, paper products such as cups and plates do not have these detrimental effects on the environment. There are undoubtedly some situations where only styrofoam will do, however, the Garnet Gold and Green Committee urges you to use paper rather than styrofoam products wherever possible.
For more information, contact Danni Vogt, PTSA Garnet, Gold and Green Committee Chair at dannivogt@embarqmail.com.