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Orlando Residents Celebrate City’s 150th Birthday with Plastic Donation

Residents of Orlando come together to donate soft plastics in celebration of the city's 150th birthday.

News Summary

In celebration of Orlando’s 150th birthday, residents donated over 1,000 pounds of soft plastics to create a commemorative bench. The initiative, led by Keep Orlando Beautiful, exceeded its collection goal ahead of schedule. Set to repurpose materials like grocery bags and bubble wrap, this effort aims to enhance recycling awareness while marking the city’s anniversary. Future community events are scheduled to further address environmental concerns and promote responsible waste disposal.

Orlando – Residents of Orlando marked the city’s 150th birthday by donating over 1,000 pounds of soft plastics, which will be repurposed to create a commemorative bench for this significant milestone. The initiative, led by the nonprofit Keep Orlando Beautiful, successfully reached its donation goal ahead of schedule, concluding on June 24, 2023, despite the original deadline being set for June 30.

Beginning on May 15, 2023, the collection campaign encouraged community members to contribute various items, including grocery bags, bread bags, and bubble wrap, at two designated drop-off locations. This effort not only provided a unique way of celebrating the city’s anniversary but also addressed broader environmental concerns regarding waste management and recycling.

Keep Orlando Beautiful, the local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, orchestrated this endeavor as part of their overarching mission to engage Orlando residents in maintaining the cleanliness and aesthetic appeal of local streets, neighborhoods, waterways, and green spaces. The importance of this cause is underscored by the organization’s commitment to preventing non-recyclable plastics from becoming litter, emphasizing that soft plastics cannot be processed through traditional recycling methods.

While the specific location of the completed commemorative bench has yet to be disclosed by the city and Keep Orlando Beautiful, the project signifies a growing awareness of environmental issues within the community. Looking ahead, the organization plans to host a community collection event in April 2024 aimed at further reducing litter. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to encourage responsible waste disposal and promote recycling practices.

To complement these activities, the city organizes various recycling events throughout the year. An electronic waste and textile recycling event is scheduled for April 5, 2024, at Festival Park, where residents are invited to bring broken electronics, textiles, and other items eligible for repurposing or recycling. These events play a crucial role in tackling the challenges associated with recycling while keeping unrecyclable plastics out of landfills.

Local partners, including Urban E Recycling and American Textile Recycling Services, are integral to this initiative, assisting with the proper disposal and upcycling of the materials collected. Urban E Recycling provides free pickup services for electronic items from residential or office locations, making it easier for residents to responsibly dispose of their outdated or broken devices. Likewise, American Textile Recycling has established drop-off points for unwanted clothing and textiles that are no longer suitable for donation.

Residents are significantly encouraged to reflect on waste disposal practices and to engage in recycling and educational programs designed to minimize litter in the environment. Keep Orlando Beautiful continues to advocate for community involvement, aiming to create a cleaner and healthier urban environment.

For more information regarding upcoming recycling events and available services, residents can visit the official website of the Orlando city government.