Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter-News Analyst
The city of Fernandina Beach conducted its annual recycling event on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the city’s maintenance/utility yard. 1017 S. 5th Street. Despite a miserable, unrelenting rain, the turnout for this event was high. While the event cost the city $17,000 in fees for items like paper shredding and hazardous waste disposal, tons of material were recycled to better use than the landfill. Jeremiah Glisson, maintenance manager for the city of Fernandina Beach, updated commissioners and the public on the event at the May 7, 2013 Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting.
Glisson reported that the paper shredding activity was so successful that the truck filled before the end of the day. Electronics recycling also proved popular, and many old tires were turned in as well as scrap metal, automotive batteries and fluids, household cleaners, paint, hazardous chemicals, pesticides and everything else that qualified for recycling.
Fernandina Beach’s normal recycling efforts expanded in fall 2012. Advanced Disposal, the city’s waste removal service, replaced the familiar dark green or blue recycle boxes with large, wheeled recycle containers in a bright green emblazoned with the slogan “Make Your Mother Proud.” In addition to accepting newspapers, glass, aluminum cans and certain plastics for recycling, Advanced Disposal expanded the types of metal cans and plastic it would recycle and significantly expanded the types of paper products it would accept to include cereal boxes, junk mail, catalogs, magazines and phonebooks and more. (For a complete listing of recyclable items, consult the city’s website: www.fbfl.us/recycle) Glisson reported that following the program expansion, monthly curbside recycling in the city has increased from slightly less than 30 tons to more than 90 tons.
The annual recycling event is an effort to help residents dispose of those materials not accepted under the curbside program, although normal recycling materials are accepted at that event as well. Glisson expressed gratitude to the city staffers and local citizens who volunteered to work the event as well as the city’s important partners: Advanced Disposal, Creative Recycling, Environmental Options, FCC Environmental, Republic Services and Ultra Shred.