WGCU

Writer/Producer: Lynne Howard Frazer

Does recycling make a difference? Let's talk trash.

Americans produce more trash than any other people on the planet. Every year, we throw away enough aluminum to rebuild the American Airlines fleet 71 times; enough steel to reconstruct Manhattan; and enough wood and paper to heat five million homes for 200 years.

In southwest Florida, recycling programs offer relief to overflowing landfills -- and earn millions of dollars for Lee County, which owns and operates its own recycling sorting facility. Plastics, glass, steel, aluminum, cardboard and paper are sorted and sold to be recycled and refabricated once again.

See why recycling makes sense -- and cents -- for all of southwest Florida.

Resources:
County websites offer information on what can -- and cannot -- be recycled, as well as the location of the household chemical waste drop-off facilities, and information on business recycling.

Lee County Solid Waste
www.leegov.com/solidwaste
(239) 533-8000

Collier County Solid Waste
www.colliergov.net/recycle
(239) 252-2508

Charlotte County Solid Waste
http://charlottecountyfl.com/EnvironmentalServices/solidwaste/recycling/
(941) 743-1200

Hendry County Solid Waste
www.hendryfla.net/special/recycle.htm
(863) 674-4162

Additional information about recycling:
Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htm

Writer/Producer Rosie Emery

With increased emphasis on the environment and the importance of reducing our ecological footprint, many people are still a little unsure as to what exactly they can do to incorporate more sustainable living practices into their daily lives. 

While recycling and energy efficiency have become a slightly more commonplace in households, other aspects of sustainable living are not so well known. 
Here in Southwest Florida you can discover ways in which to incorporate more sustainable practices into your daily life in a variety of ways.

From classes in Being Green to learning how to worm-compost at the Eco-Living Center in Fort Myers there is something for everyone as we journey together to a greener future!

Resources:

Being Green Class
Teachers:
Donna Roberts 239-810-0241
roberts.donna@mac.com
Ann Smith 239-248-2250
annsmith@embarqmail.com or http://www.circleconnections.com
or check the Happehatchee Center website at:
www.happehatcheecenter.org

Donna Roberts and Ann Smith are offering the next "Being Green" course
through FGCU's Renaissance Academy - meeting on three consecutive Fridays:
March 13, 20, and 27, 2009, from 10:30 a.m. - 12 Noon
at the FGCU Naples Center.

 For more information or to register, please contact
 John J. Guerra
 Director, Continuing Education &
 The Renaissance Academy of FGCU
 Phone: (239) 287-5196
 Fax: (239) 594-2665
 jguerra@fgcu.edu

Composting
John Kiseda
Environmental Education Program Coordinator for Lee County Parks &
Recreation
Support Services Facility/Eco Living Center
6490 South Pointe Boulevard
Ft. Myers
Tel: 239 432 2163
Fax: 239 432 2030
kisedajb@leeegov.com
www.leeparks.org
Classes on composting will begin on January 14th 2009 at the Eco-Living Center
Also:
B and B Organics Inc. Bob Donnelly 994-5988 (sells earthworm castings by the bag)
Rachael Singleton 543-9910 (sells red wiggler worms)

A good introductory article on Worm composting:
http://theartofzenliving.com/2008/06/vermi-zen-worm-composting-for-the-zen-vegetable-garden/

Food & Thought http://www.foodandthought.com/
Frank Oakes
Owner
Food & Thought
2132 Tamiami Trail North
The Gateway of Naples
Naples, FL. 34102
Tel 239 213 2222
Fax: 239 649 0609
Restaurant and Health Food Store

Writer/Producer: Rosie Emery

Do we always have to buy everything new; what about the concept of re-using, of buying things that have already been made, bought and used by someone else? For those of us who do love to shop, but who consciously wish to lessen our ecological footprint by keeping “stuff” out of the landfills, the aisles of Thrift and Antique stores are delightful places to find great bargains, ancient treasures and even the odd fabulous couture outfit! 

Many of the thrift and resale stores also benefit worthy causes such as the environment, the homeless, shelters for women, the physically challenged and disadvantaged amongst us. 

From upscale furniture, couture outfits, vintage clothing and jewelry to household appliances and even the kitchen sink we will show you how Southwest Florida’s consumers can find everything they need and help to keep “stuff” out of the landfills!

Resources:

Audrey’s Attic
104 10th St N
Naples, FL 34102
(239) 403-8322
 www.audreys-attic.com

Ageless Treasures
995 2nd Ave N
Naples, FL 34102
(239) 213-4227

Upscale, Resale
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
732 Tamiami Trail North
(239) 263-0717

Habitat for Humanity, Home Store
11127 Tamiami Trail East
Naples, FL 34113
Tel: 239 732 6388

Goodwill Industries
Director of Public Relations
Kirsten Britt O’Donell
239 995 2106 ext 211
http://www.goodwillswfl.org/store_and_adc_locations.htm

Writer/Producer: Janina Birtolo

Learn about Sustaining Tomorrow Today, an FGCU program that brings students and volunteers together to help create environmentally friendly affordable housing in Bonita Springs, clean up the Cocohatchee Estuary and design native plant gardens. Sustaining Tomorrow Today aims to preserve natural resources, benefit all who live in Southwest Florida and provide opportunities for the exchange of ideas.

Resources:
Sustaining Tomorrow Today: http://ruby.fgcu.edu/courses/jfitch
Florida Green Building Coalition: www.floridagreenbuilding.org/db/
Florida Green Communities: www.greencommunitiesonline.org/about/programs/florida.asp
U.S. Green Building Council: www.usbg.org/LEED/
National Association of Homebuilders Green Building Program: www.nahb.org
Estuary Conservation Association: www.estuaryconservation.org
Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program: www.fyn.ifas.ufl.edu
Florida Friendly Landscapint: www.floridayards.org (Great interactive yard design feature)

Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

Before living green became a catch phrase, many communities around Southwest Florida had taken steps towards eco-friendliness through preservation, the creation of nature trails, and rebuilding habitats. But now the preservationists in Lee County are taking their green ideas into architecture and landscaping. The Six Mile Cypress Slough is one example.  By using rapidly renewable construction materials and practicing water conservation, The Interpretative Center at the Slough teaches visitors about what they will encounter on the boardwalk and shows how building green can sustain our plant and wildlife. The center even offers building and remodeling ideas that visitors can take home. The importance of eco-friendly construction is amplified by the Calusa Nature Center, which is a living museum of Florida wildlife. One facet of the multitude of habitats guests will encounter is a butterfly aviary.  Here, experts show nature enthusiasts which plants will work best in their backyards to attract and breed butterflies. Greening-up our community begins with a little public effort.  And local projects with an eco-friendly twist are a win-win situation for all.

Resources:

http://www.calusanature.com/
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

http://www.naba.org/
The North American Butterfly Association

http://www.leeparks.org/sixmile/
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

http://www.sloughpreserve.org/
The Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, a non-profit advocacy group for the preserve and The Interpretive Center

http://www.conservancy.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=406&srcid=-2
Conservancy of Southwest Florida

 Writer/Producer: Rosie Emery

Despite the fact that we live in the Sunshine State, many people are still hesitant about the feasibility and availability of solar power when it comes to converting their homes or businesses.

The State Government is providing incentives for people to convert at least some portion of their home if not all to solar and the Florida Energy Office is paying a rebate of $4.00 per watt for solar power systems. The maximum rebate for a residential application is $20,000 and for a commercial building is $100,000. This rebate usually covers 40-50% of the to cost to purchase and install a solar power system.   In addition to the State of Florida rebate, the federal government is allowing a $2,000 federal income tax credit for a residential system.  So just how easy is it to convert to solar and is it really worthwhile?

Resources:

Dell Jones
(c) 904-891-3355
Vice President of Renwable Project Development
Regenesis Power

Steve McCarney
Tel: 239 395 2991
Footprint Energy Solutions
mccarneys@comcast.net

Patrick Agnew
Product Manager
Florida Power and Light (FPL)
239 332 9130
patrick_agnew@FP.com

Writer/Producer: Rosie Emery

The State of Florida now requires that state agencies and departments under the direction of the Governor many not contract for meeting and conference space with hotels or conference facilities that have not received the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging Program designation, unless no other viable place exists.  The program’s designations, called “Palms One, Two and Three”, are awarded for best practices in water, energy, and waste efficiency standards.  Several hotels in Southwest Florida have received the Two Palm award and are working towards their third “Palm” level.

For further information about the hotels featured, or for the Florida Department of the Environment you can contact:
Laura M. Comer,
Sustainability Initiatives Coordinator
Florida Department of Environmental Protection - South District
PO Box 2549, Fort Myers, FL 33902-2549
Tel:  239/332-6975 x 170
Laura.Comer@dep.state.fl.us

Kelly Olsen
Director Public Relations
Hyatt Regency – Coconut Point Resort and Spa
kolsen@hyatt.com
Tel: 239 390 4278

Amber Phillips – Manager
Bridgewater Inn
4331 Pine Island Road
Matlacha FL USA 33993
(941) 268 1688
(239) 282-8440 (Fax) (800) 378-7666 (Toll Free)
Email: info@bridgewaterinn.com

Dave Jensen
Jensens Twin Palms
Tel: 239 472 5800
dave@gocaptiva.com

Jan. 14, 2008

The term biofuel is only just beginning to enter our culture’s collective lexicon, but making diesel fuel out of vegetable oil is nothing new. We’re joined by the owner of a local company that’s selling biodiesel, a local man who makes it in his garage
and another man who uses it to power his boat. Join host Jim McLaughlin us as we continue the conversation begun Friday night on WGCU’s Public Television’s new multimedia project Connect!

Share your tips for living green.

• How do you minimize your impact on the environment?