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Expo Demos Eco-Friendly Tips, Tricks

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By SHERRI LONON and KLINT LOWRY

In The Loop The Suncoast News

Published: January 8, 2009

DADE CITY - Going green in this economy doesn't have to be as costly or difficult as it sounds.

That's the message the Pasco County Cooperative Extension Office is hoping to send home with visitors who attend its annual open house on Saturday. This year's event is dubbed the "Green Solutions Expo." The idea for the theme was born out of staff desire to show residents they could do their part to help the environment without busting their bank accounts in the process, said B.J. Jarvis, cooperative extension director and horticulture agent.

"We kept saying how the word green is getting to be one that you don't know what it means any more," Jarvis said. "We thought, 'Surely there are things that each of us can do. ... very concrete specific things that are actually doable and attainable with the tight financial situation we are in.'"

That notion, and the answers that the staff came back with, gave birth to the expo, which will be at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City. The countywide event will include a number of educational exhibits, demonstrations, giveaways and interactive activities for youngsters.

Some of the features that are lined up for the expo include demonstrations on using rain barrels and information on water-wise irrigation, instant vegetable gardening, hybrid vehicles and energy-efficient windows. Giveaways will include trees, bags of compost and compact fluorescent bulbs.

"We're going to have all sorts of fun things going on - lots of educational things for both adults and kids," Jarvis said.

The hope is that residents walk away with a better understanding of what they can do to make a difference in their home environments, Jarvis said.

"We're hoping it's going to be interesting to the whole family," Jarvis said.

Pasco County solid waste staff members will make a return appearance at this year's open house, Jarvis said. Again the agency will offer its free household hazardous chemical waste collection service.

Hazardous Waste Division employees will be on hand to receive a variety of toxic and hazardous materials that are unsuitable for landfills. This event is for Pasco County households only, not businesses.

The items that will be accepted free of charge include fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, cleaners, pool chemicals, paint and paint thinner, wood preservatives, motor oil, automobile batteries, automotive fluids, wood stains, solvents and dry cell batteries. In addition, antifreeze, household cleaners, furniture polish, waxes, household chemicals, gasoline, rubbing alcohol, acids, bases, cooking oil, and fluorescent and CFL light bulbs can be turned in.

Glass containers with toxic substances should be placed in cardboard boxes, with newspaper between the containers to prevent breakage.

Items that will not be accepted include medical waste, prescription drugs, radioactive waste and explosives.

Empty, 20-pound propane tanks will be accepted for a $3 fee. Be sure the tanks are completely empty. For a $5-per-item fee, residents can get rid of their old televisions, computers and monitors.

Discarded electronic equipment has been a particular concern in recent years among waste management professionals. In 2007, the United States generated 2.5 million tons of "E-waste," as it is called, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Of that total only about 18 percent of television and computers were recycled and only 10 percent of cell phones, the EPA says.

E-waste accounts for 70 percent of the toxic waste found in landfills. In addition to valuable metals that can be re-used, such as aluminum, electronics often contain hazardous materials, such as lead, mercury and cadmium.

With the switch to all-digital television signals in February, there has been a rise in the number of cathode ray tube television sets being thrown away in favor of LCD and plasma screen sets. Typical CRTs contain between four and eight pounds of lead. Circuit boards and other TV and computer components often contain mercury.

GREEN SOLUTIONS EXPO

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City

WHAT: Eco-friendly products and services will be displayed, and there will be educational exhibits. Residents can take advantage of free household chemical waste collection, giveaways and refreshments.

FOR INFORMATION: Visit www.pasco.ifas.ufl.edu or call (352) 521-4288

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