News From the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County
Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County News
May 9, 2023
Contact: Willie Puz, Public Affairs and Recycling, 561-640-8914 (o); 561-379-2405 (c)
Promo Graphic: attached
4R Promo Video: https://youtu.be/_1SMsFVryVE
ReTeach Promo Video: https://youtu.be/1s94dsU4XbE
SWA 4R AMBASSADOR PROGRAM TEACHES KIDS TO BE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS THROUGH PROPER WASTE CHOICES
The Solid Waste Authority (SWA) of Palm Beach County is looking for students to participate in a one-week Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and ReThink (4R) adventure into the world of waste. This year’s program will take place June 5-9. During this week, students will engage in hands-on activities and labs focusing on the environment from an integrated solid waste management perspective.
After students learn about the concept of AWAY, they’ll graduate as official SWA 4R Ambassadors. With this credential, they’re encouraged to teach their family and friends about how their waste can affect our environment. They'll also be able to explain how individuals can Recycle Right and be mindful of their day-to-day choices and actions to reduce, reuse and rethink their waste.
Students will go behind-the-scenes at all SWA facilities, including:
- a Home Chemical and Recycling Center
- the Landfill
- the Recovered Materials Processing (recycling) Facility
- Renewable Energy Facility 2 (the cleanest, greenest, most efficient waste-to-energy plant in the world!)
- a Transfer Station
- Utilities
- the SWA Greenway Trail System (300 acres of natural area with six miles of trails) Students will also visit the Authority’s community partners, which include Resource Depot, Loxahatchee River District and Grassy Waters Preserve.
Participant Requirements:
Students interested in the 4R Ambassador Summer Program should meet the following criteria:
- Completed grades 6, 7 or 8
- Membership in a school club (Environmental, SECME, Garden, etc.)
- Science teacher’s recommendation in the form of a letter
The cost to participate in the 4R Ambassador Summer Program is an old electronic device, which will be recycled.
How to Apply:
Applicants will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Call 561-640-8949 or email education@swa.org.
- Complete an application.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 19, 2023
Participants will find out if they qualify before the program begins.
For more information, visit swa.org/4r.
About the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County
The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County (SWA or Authority) is a Dependent Special District that was created by the Florida Legislature in 1975. Since then, the SWA has developed an award-winning integrated solid waste management system to handle the county’s waste and recyclables. We call ourselves AWAY: whether you throw it, recycle it or flush it AWAY, we put your waste to work. Each year, we:
- Process almost 90,000 tons of recyclables
- Burn approximately 1.8 million tons of trash generate electricity at renewable energy facilities
- Produce enough electricity to power approximately 90,000 homes
- Recycle more than 150,000 tons of wastewater treatment residuals (sludge from flushes) into an environmentally-friendly fertilizer amendment
- Safely dispose of more than 4.2 million pounds of home hazards
- Collect rainwater from the roofs of Renewable Energy Facility 2 and store it in a 2-million gallon cistern, which is used as part of the energy making process
