As a long time 30A visitor and newly full-time resident of Seagrove, I have often wondered why such progressive and nature-appreciative communities like Seaside, Watercolor, and Rosemary Beach do not offer public recycling bins for easily recycled materials such as #1 & #2 plastic, paper, and aluminum. 

Providing these bins is an easy way for tourists and residents to do their part to reduce emissions, help keep plastic waste out of the ocean, and protect marine life.

Here are a few quick recycling facts that show the importance of reducing and recycling:

1.) Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kill as many as 1,000,000 sea creatures every year! (Source: http://www.recycling-revolution.com/recycling-facts.html

2.) The EPA estimates that 75% of what Americans throw in the trash could be recycled, but just 25% is. If Americans could improve that number to 35% that would reduce emissions as much as taking 36 million cars off the road. (Source: Recycling Revolution.com)

3.) Once an aluminum can is recycled, it can be part of a new can within six weeks. That's closed-loop recycling at its best! (Source: Recycling Revolution.com)

4.) There is no limit to the amount of times an aluminum can can be recycled. (Source: Recycling Revolution.com)

5.) If every American recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, we would save about 25,000,000 trees a year. (Source: Recycling Revolution.com)

6.) Approximately 1 billion trees worth of paper are thrown away every year in the U.S. (Source: Recycling Revolution.com)

7.) Recycling plastic saves twice as much energy as burying it in an incinerator. (Source: Recycling Revolution.com)

8.) Recycled paper produces approximately 70% less air pollution than if it was made from raw materials. (Source: Conserve Energy Future, http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-recycling-facts.php

9.) 50-80% of marine debris is plastic. It breaks down into smaller pieces, but never goes away. The ocean’s five major gyres (giant swirling currents) often trap this debris, turning the ocean into a toxic plastic soup. Marine animals often mistake it for food, and can end up choking or starving to death. It also entangles and injures them, making it difficult to swim or fly, and could lead to drowning. Ever heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? It's twice the size of Texas and is floating somewhere between San Francisco and Hawaii. It's also 80 percent plastic, and weighs in at 3.5 million tons. (Source: One World Ocean, http://www.oneworldoneocean.com/blog/entry/10_ways_to_help_save_the_ocean

10.) Recycling one ton of plastic saves the equivalent of 1,000–2,000 gallons of gasoline. A survey was done and 9 out of 10 people surveyed said they would recycle more if it was easier. Odd as it seems there are many people who do not realize that plastic bottles our water comes in is made out of oil. This is the same oil that is used to make gasoline. It's the same oil that is in such high demand and is not an unlimited resource. (Source: http://www.mrcpolymers.com/PlasticRecyclingFacts.php

So Let's make it easier! Please sign this petition to get public recycling bins in our 30A communities! 

If you do live in the 30A area, there is a local company called Blu-Binz (http://www.blu-binz.com/) that does curbside recycling pick up for a very reasonable rate. Check them out!