FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2008

Contact:  Nancy Rodlun

Community Outreach and Media Coordinator

Orange County Environmental Protection Division

(407) 836–1440, orangetogreen@ocfl.net

Web site: www.ocfl.net/epd

Take Your Own Tote, Mayor Proclaims April 22^nd Earth Day

            Orlando, FL - Join Mayor Richard T. Crotty and the Board of County Commissioners at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday April 14^th as they proclaim April 22nd, Earth Day in Orange County.  The proclamation will be read during the Board of County Commissioners meeting, held at the Orange County Administration Center, 201 Rosalind Avenue, Orlando.

          The Board beckons citizens and visitors countywide to Take Your Own Tote (T.Y.O.T.) and leave the paper and plastic bags at the store to commemorate Earth Day.  Using reusable totes is easy and growing in popularity as a way to protect natural resources and wildlife, prevent litter and pollution, and reduce climate change.  Be a 'green' trendsetter; when people see you making the right choice, they will do it too! 

          The Environmental Protection Division will host a T.Y.O.T. exhibit table at the entrance of the Orange County Administration Building on April 14^th from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Residents, visitors, and staff can pledge to reduce single-use waste and receive materials to participate on Earth Day, and Every Day.  Other pledge stations will be set up throughout April in a variety of locations, including local farmers markets and college campuses.

          The goal of the 2009 T.Y.O.T. campaign is to engage the public in actively using reusable bags, demonstrating the ease of changing habits.  Adopting the reuse habit will help reduce the negative environmental impacts of single-use waste. Visit www.ocfl.net/OrangeToGreen and click on the T.Y.O.T. link for event locations and information on participating retailers.