Recycle, Reuse, Waste Reduction

Program or Project: Curbside Recycling Program
Description/Accomplishment: The City was one of the first cities in South Florida to establish a recycling program, and today delivers more recyclable material than any other municipality in Palm Beach County.
Primary Department: Municipal Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 1970s

Program or Project: Recycled Plastic Lumber Program
Description/Accomplishment: Replacing pressure treated wood with plastic lumber manufactured from recycled plastic when rebuilding or repairing boardwalks and docks.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 1996

Program or Project: Seaweed Reclamation
Description/Accomplishment: Seaweed raked up from the beach is used to stabilize beach access points, life guard towers and dune scarps. Seaweed acts as a good soil base for beach plant germination.  By reusing seaweed space is being saved in landfills.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 1998

Program or Project: Christmas Tree Recycling Program
Description/Accomplishment: After Christmas, Christmas trees are converted to mulch.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2013

Program or Project: Monitor monofilament recycling
Description/Accomplishment: Receptacles at 4 locations; recycle through Berkley.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2006

Program or Project: Partner with Local Business for Animal Food
Description/Accomplishment: Whole Foods provides the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center with food for our animals that by their policies would otherwise have to be thrown away.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2008

Program or Project: Membrane Concentrate Blending
Description/Accomplishment: Reuse of membrane concentrate for blending with reclaimed water which generates additional reclaimed water when wastewater influent is limited.
Primary Department: Utility Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2014

Program or Project: Dewatered Lime Reuse
Description/Accomplishment: Reuse of spent lime from the water treatment process for construction fill.  
Primary Department: Utility Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 1980s

Program or Project: Lime Softened Water Blending with Membrane Softened Water
Description/Accomplishment: Elimination of pretreatment chemicals for membrane softening treatment by using lime softened water instead of additional chemicals for water softening.
Primary Department: Utility Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2005

Program or Project: Biosolids Reuse  
Description/Accomplishment: Generation of fertilizer from wastewater treatment by-product. The biosolids are dewatered at the treatment facility and then sent to an offsite facility where it’s dried to a fertilizer product that can be marketed and sold.
Primary Department: Utility Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2011

Program or Project: Toner Cartridge Recycling
Description/Accomplishment: Cartridges can be reused, which saves landfill space.
Primary Department: All Departments
Time Frame: Initiated in 1990s

Program or Project: Recycle program for aluminum signs and posts.
Description/Accomplishment: Recycling aluminum and other metals instead of including as construction waste.
Primary Department: Municipal Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 1970s

Program or Project: Worn and outdated books are given to Friends of Library for resale.
Description/Accomplishment: Reuse of books instead of placing in trash.
Primary Department: Recreation Services

Program or Project: Outdated magazines and newspapers are recycled through City bins.
Description/Accomplishment: Recycling materials instead of placing I trash
Primary Department: Recreation Services