Resources

YouTube Channel

Visit and subscribe to the Keep Nassau Beautiful YouTube Channel for helpful videos on latex paint disposal, youth reading programs, tree maintenance, and more.

Report Littering

Help Keep Nassau Beautiful! To report litter and/or illegal dumping on state roadsides, call 1-800-BAN-LITTer or 1-800-226-5488. For non-state roads, call the Nassau County Road Department at 904-530-6175 (weekdays only, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm).

Be the Change

We have included some tips you can use to learn more about how you can help reduce waste.

Recycle

The average American produces 4.4 pounds of trash each day. You can do your part to reduce landfill waste and keep our community cleaner by choosing to recycle. All it takes is the desire to change and a little effort. Start by downloading our “What Can I Recycle?” flyer and check out these other helpful resources provided by Keep America Beautiful.

• Play the “Super Sorter” Game
• Check Out I Want To Be Recycled
• Participate in One of Our Upcoming Recycling Events!

For more information on starting a recycling program in your school or workplace, please contact us at knb@keepnassaubeautiful.org.

Reuse

The best way to reduce litter and waste is to not make more of it. You can do this by purchasing items you can reuse at home, school or work. If you find you no longer need an item, consider donating it to someone else or up-cycling it before you toss it in the trash. See our A-Z Guide for locations near you. For example, instead of using plastic bags at the grocery store and other retailers, bring along reusable bags when you shop. The average family goes through 1,500 plastic bags a year, so this simple change could make a big impact!

Reduce

Another easy way to help the environment is to look for ways to reduce waste and toxins in your community.

• Buy in bulk instead of individual packages. It not only saves money, but you can also place items (such as juice and snacks) into reusable containers to reduce waste.
• Compost yard waste and food items.
• Reduce paper waste by sending electronic documentation whenever possible.
• Choose products made from plant-based materials, such as citrus and pine oils.
• Use recycled products whenever possible.

Up-Cycle

Give your trash new life! Empty water bottles, toilet paper rolls, and even old clothing can be transformed into something beautiful and useful. Need some ideas? Check out some of these helpful links:

• Reuse Plastic Bottles (via Pinterest)
• Creative Uses for Toilet Paper Rolls (via Google)
• Shoebox Crafts (via DIY & Crafts)
• Repurpose Cardboard Boxes (via Recycle Nation)
• Brilliant Ways to Reuse Baby Food Jars (via Yahoo!)
• New Uses for Magazines & Newspapers (via Buzzfeed)

Up-cycle projects are great for classroom projects and rainy weekends. Be sure to share your ideas with others on the Keep Nassau Beautiful Facebook page!

Garden

Smart gardening will not only save you money, but will also help reduce waste in our community.

First, look into the various options for reducing your water waste. Set timers and adjust the flow of sprinkler systems to avoid using too much water, especially during the dry season. Another way to reduce water consumption is to reuse grey water (sink or tub water) or set up water barrels to harvest rain water. Drought-resistant plants will also reduce your overall water consumption in the garden.

Next, think of all of the ways you can reuse items in your garden. For example, return or reuse old plant pots. Use broken window blinds, used popsicle sticks or other waste items to make plant labels. When raking, pruning or harvesting, be sure to place yard waste in a compost pile.

Finally, don’t forget to share the wealth. Instead of throwing away excess food or flowers from your garden, share it with others; give neighbors fruit and vegetable baskets or drop of a bouquet of fresh blooms to a senior citizen center. You can also donate used garden tools to local organizations that may be able to use them.

Compost

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food scraps and yard waste make up to 30% of what Americans throw away. Most of these items, if not all, can be reused through composting. Composting not only provides you with enriched soil for your yard, but also reduces your carbon footprint.

Here’s a quick look at some of the items you can easily compost.