Melissa Donovan
In honor of Orlando’s 150th anniversary, residents came together in a unique and environmentally conscious way—by donating more than 1,000 pounds of soft plastics to be repurposed into a commemorative bench.
The initiative, organized by Keep Orlando Beautiful (KOB), invited the public to contribute soft plastic items—including grocery bags, bread bags, mailers, and bubble wrap—between May 15 and June 30 at two designated drop-off locations across the city. On May 30, city officials announced the collection goal had been reached ahead of schedule.
The commemorative project is part of a broader campaign led by KOB, a local affiliate of the national nonprofit Keep America Beautiful. The organization is dedicated to mobilizing Orlando residents to improve and maintain the city’s public spaces by reducing litter and promoting sustainability.
While plastic recycling is widely encouraged, not all materials qualify for traditional recycling processes. Soft plastics, which often end up in landfills, require alternative approaches to reuse and repurpose.
“Soft plastics like grocery bags, mailers, bread bags, and bubble wrap can’t be traditionally recycled,” KOB explained in a recent social media post. “Through this collection, our community is keeping these items out of the landfill, out of our environment, and giving them a new life!”
Details regarding the final location of the commemorative bench have not yet been announced. However, the city has confirmed that it will serve as a lasting tribute to both Orlando’s 150th milestone and the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
For more information on local sustainability efforts, residents can visit the City of Orlando’s official website or follow Keep Orlando Beautiful on social media for updates.
Comments