harbordale

GYR volunteers collected 140 pairs of shoes at the City's America Recycles Day event on Nov. 5th. The event was held in partnership with the non-profit "Deliver the Dream" foundation which helps families of children with severe illnesses. This shoe collection is a great example of how we can take recycling beyond the “blue bin,” repurposing gently used items in the practice of
REUSE, REDUCE, and RECYCLE.
!

Vicki Eckels represents Harbordale on the City's volunteer team called GYR "Green Your Routine". She is the Recycling Coordinator for the Harbordale Civic Association.

"ConservationPay$" Program Will Save Water and Money
Broward County Joins Water Utility Partners Participating in Toilet Rebate Program

ConservationPay$Broward County and 16 city and water utility partners are offering rebates for more efficient toilets and other water conserving tools and tips, starting October 1.

Through the toilet rebate program, partners will issue 1,700 rebates for up to $100 toward the purchase of a high efficiency toilet. Taking advantage of the program rebate and other water-conserving suggestions can reach 30,000 gallons of water saved annually.

Conservation is a major part of the water supply plan because it's much less expensive than locating new water supplies, and it's something everyone can do. Public participation isn't just nice to have - it's essential.

'Rebates provide an incentive for people to conserve water and that is of benefit to everyone" said Commissioner Kristin Jacobs. "When people reduce the amount of water they use, we are better able to meet water supply demands in a cost affordable way. Water is a finite resource."

Currently, the rebate program is being offered by water utility areas servicing the cities of Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Lauderhill, Margate, Plantation and Sunrise, and the towns of Davie and Hillsboro Beach.

Service areas do not necessarily match municipal boundaries, so it is important to know the utility provider when applying for rebate approval. Rebates must be pre-approved, are limited in quantity, and are available on a first come, first served basis. Only one rebate per qualifying household will be authorized. Other restrictions apply.

Low flow showerheads and faucet aerators will also be distributed, but once they are gone, the program will not be offered again until next year.

Program details can be found at www.ConservationPays.com and click GimmeARebate or call 1-800-270-9794 for more information. To learn more about other Broward County rebate programs, visit www.broward.org/gogreen.

Get Involved and Go the Extra Mile!

America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day and community-driven awareness event dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the U.S. Since its inception in 1997, communities across the country have participated in America Recycles Day to educate, promote environmental citizenship, and encourage action.

This year, the City of Fort Lauderdale invites you to go the extra mile and reduce your carbon footprint by recycling, repurposing, and giving back to your community. How? By bringing pairs of new or “gently worn” shoes to the City’s first Shoe Collection Event, which is being held in conjunction with the Footsteps for Families Run/Walk Event on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Recycle shoes? Absolutely! Most people have items that are in great condition, but they don’t really need or want them anymore – like shoes. Shoes aren’t typically the first things that come to mind when one thinks of recycling, but recycling goes beyond simply putting specific items in a “blue bin.” While not everything is a perfect fit for the traditional recycling bin, there are additional ways to recycle, such as finding other uses for quality items, or repurposing.

The Shoe Collection Event is a great example of how we can take recycling beyond the “blue bin,” go the extra mile, and repurpose “gently worn” shoes so others have the opportunity to go the extra mile too! So why not celebrate this America Recycles Day by cleaning out your closets, gathering up unwanted, unneeded “gently worn” shoes, and donating them to a good cause, as shoes collected by the City will be delivered to a local charity.

To donate shoes, bring them to the Footsteps for Families Run/Walk registration tent, which will be located at the Historic Stranahan House, 335 S.E. 6th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Shoes donors will receive a “Happy Feet” combo coupon for $2 off the entrance to the Museum of Discovery and Science/AutoNation IMAX Theater, which includes discount parking, and a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more from Sports Authority. (Coupons will be available while supplies last.) Registered Footsteps for Families Run/Walk participants who donate shoes will be eligible to win a Bluegreen Resort vacation.