The "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project Partners with TSA

On March 17th, members of Polk County's Sleepy Hill Middle School Technology Student Association got involved in the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project by learning about the importance of fishing line recycling and by assembling 50 personal-sized fishing line recycling bins. The group, who has assembled larger PVC pipe fishing line recycling bins in the past, plans to assemble more of the personal-sized fishing line recycling bins as part of their own community service efforts!

The "Stow It - Don't Throw It" Project comes to the Pier Aquarium!

On March 14th, the "Stow It - Don't Throw It" Project ran a booth at the Pier Aquarium's Spa Beach Splash and Kite Festival. This event featured booths and activities from many local environmental organizations. Families that stopped by the "Stow It - Don't Throw It" Project booth were able to color pictures of their favorite marine animals and learn how to protect these animals by properly disposing of monofilament fishing line. This event was a great success and we are looking forward to working with the Pier Aquarium in the future on the "Stow It - Don't Throw It" Project!

Here are a few pictures from the event:

Sertoma Club gets involved in the "Stow It - Don't Throw It" Project

On March 4th, "Stow It - Don't Throw It" Project Chair spoke to members of the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota about the project and the importance of recycling monofilament fishing line. Club members were very interested in the program. The Sertoma club will be hosting a Kingfish Tournament on April 3rd and 4th and 100 of the completed personal-sized fishing line recycling bins will be included in the Captain's packages which will go out on each of the boats in the tournament.

Polk County 4-H Sea Stars assemble fishing line recycling bins!

In February, members of the Polk County 4-H Sea Stars Club worked to assemble approximately 200 personal-sized fishing line recycling bins. They are working with the Ridge Audubon Society to distribute the completed bins and spread the word about the importance of recycling fishing line!

Waste Management parters with the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project!

In an effort to collect tennis ball containers to turn into personal-sized monofilament recycling bins, 4-H members across the state are encouraging tennis ball clubs to "Go Green" and arrange for their club members to recycle their used tennis ball cans for use in the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project. Many of the tennis clubs have volunteered to set up nice-looking, permanent receptacles at their locations in order to collect the tennis ball cans. In order to get receptacles to set up at the tennis clubs, I contacted Waste Management in Sarasota County to see if they would be willing to donate recycling containers to set up at the tennis clubs.

I am excited to announce that Waste Management partnered with our efforts and provided us with 75 recycling receptacles for us to set up at tennis clubs across Sarasota County. These bins will provide information on the project and the importance of fishing line recycling. By working with Waste Management, we are helping to reduce waste that results from people throwing their tennis ball cans away. This will also allow us to increase the number of tennis ball cans that we can collect for our project, which in turn will help us in our efforts to protect Florida's marine wildlife.

Project supplies get ready for shipment

On February 2nd, members of the Green Team 4-H club in Sarasota County sorted and packaged the materials for the first 700 personal-sized monofilament recycling bins. These materials have been sent to 4-H clubs across Florida who are in the process of assembling and distributing the recycling bins!

"Stow It - Don't Throw It" Project at the Florida State Fair

In an effort to spread the word about the importance of monofilament fishing line recycling, and recruit more participants for the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project, a booth was set up on the project at the Florida State Fair's Florida 4-H Showcase. This booth allowed people to learn about the dangers of entanglement, the project itself, and color pictures related to marine life protection. They were also able to watch the project video and sign up to get involved. Hundreds of people visited the 4-H Showcase and many left with a greater understanding of the importance of recycling fishing line. Here are a few photos from that event:

Project chair Sean Russell explains the concept of the personal-sized monofilament recycling bins.

Polk County 4-H Members watch the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project videos.

A State Fair visitor depicts the dangers of entanglement.