Waste Management

Waste Management
Nearly everything we produce, use, or consume leaves behind waste. On average, Americans produce about 4.40 pounds of waste each day (EPA, 2013). After disposal, these materials are transported to landfills where their byproducts can ultimately enter our groundwater. 

The Challenge
In the past 50 years, the amount of municipal solid waste generated in the United States has nearly tripled. The collection, transportation, and disposal of waste not only presents a cost to local government, but also poses risks to human and environmental health.

The Opportunity
Reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills will give many products additional purpose while reducing the amount of fossil-fuels released through waste transport. This can be done by using fewer materials, but also through smart procurement, recycling, and composting.

Read below to learn how the Town of Melbourne Beach is working towards reducing and diverting waste from our landfills.

1. Recycling
   The current waste management vendor, WastePro, provides single-stream recycling collection for Melbourne Beach, accepting plastic bottles, aluminum cans, glass bottles, newspapers, paper, and flattened cardboard, in the same container.  Additional options for recycling include Brevard County’s Collection Centers https://www.brevardfl.gov/SolidWaste/HouseholdHazardousWaste which accepts household hazardous waste, and the Terra Cycle programs with Recycle Brevard http://www.recyclebrevard.org/p/terracycle.html which accepts various hard-to-recycle items. 

2. Composting
   Local non-profit, Green Earth Composting, showed that members of the Melbourne Beach community would overwhelmingly support a community composting program with a business which collects household food waste once a week. 

3. Single-use Plastics Ban
   The Town continues to enforce the ban of single-use plastics during town events and rentals within our parks and Community Center.

What Can You Do?

• Recycle: Become familiar with acceptable recyclable items and consciously choose to dispose of waste responsibly.  Utilize alternate recycling facilities for e-scrap, car batteries and hard to recycle items. 
• Compost: Join the Green Earth Compost Program or start a compost of your own.
• Reuse: Opt for reusable water bottles, grocery bags, lunch boxes and utensils.
• Support Local Ocean-friendly Restaurants
• Join a Community Cleanup

Looking for fun volunteer opportunities?
Join us on Facebook to find the next event!