MONORE COUNTY SOLID WASTE TO HOST INFORMATIONAL BOOTHS/TRASHCAN GIVEAWAY EVENT TO PROTECT LOWER KEYS WILDLIFE

BIG PINE KEY, FL – Monroe County Solid Waste in partnership with Waste Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Save Our Key Deer, Florida Keys Wildlife Society, and Coast Love will be hosting educational booths and a lidded 32-gallon trashcan giveaway at Big Pine Key Community Park this Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon.

From 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., after visiting the educational booths, proof of Big Pine Key or No Name Key residency via a driver’s license or utility bill with matching name on identification will be required for the trashcan, one per residential address. From 11:30 a.m. to noon, if supplies are still available, any Lower Keys resident from mile marker 16-33 with proof of residency can receive a trashcan.

The event is focused on Key Deer and Lower Keys wildlife education and awareness regarding disposing of trash properly in these critical areas. More than 85 percent of the Key Deer population is found on Big Pine Key and No Name Key, and other deer can be found through mile marker 16 in the Lower Keys. The lidded trashcans should help deter local wildlife from dumping over, eating, or being hurt by residential trash.

There are 150 trashcans available at the event. Should supplies run out, Monroe County Solid Waste will take down names of interested parties who can then purchase the cans at cost if there is enough interest.

Any residents who visit the five educational booths will be treated to a Centennial Bank hotdog while available.

“I am thrilled we were able to create a public-private partnership with Waste Management and these wonderful community organizations to keep trash out of our neighborhoods and protect our wildlife by putting a lid on it,” said Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron.

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