Vero Beach Volunteers Work with Community, Businesses to Recycle Plastic Waste

Community members in Vero Beach, Fla. have come together to help keep plastic wrappings out of landfills, starting a non-profit organization.

The non-profit, Coastal Connections, works with Indian River County and the Oceanfront Business Association to provide recycling services for community members. The group provides free removal services for businesses, including on initiative called “Wrap Recycling.”

Each week, 10 volunteers visit nearly 40 businesses who have signed up for the program to collect their wrap materials such as bubble wrap, plastic bags, cling wrap, and soft plastic packaging.

"Just in plastic alone when we think of a ton of plastic bags, you're talking a significant amount of cubic feet. If we can keep that out of the landfill, that's going to extend the life of the landfill. Plastic is not good for the environment,” said Dan Compas, a co-coordinator of the Wrap Recycling program for Coastal Connections.

"I think Vero Beach is one of the best communities in the state of Florida and we want to keep it that way."

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