Green Your Routine
What is Green Your Routine?
The Green Your Routine Program works to promote waste reduction, recycling and sustainable initiatives at home, school, work and play by engaging neighbors in volunteerism and education.
Green Your Routine Volunteer
Green Your Routine (GYR) Volunteers are residents in one of the City of Fort Lauderdale's officially recognized associations. They work directly with the City's Green Your Routine Program Coordinator. GYR Volunteers are called to action for sustainability-related opportunities and earn funds for their association through the Sustainability Incentive Grant.
Recognized associations may appoint one resident (or a group of residents) as a liaison who represents the neighborhood and mobilizes other members for volunteer work.
If you are environmentally conscientious, live in the City of Fort Lauderdale, and can offer at least four hours a month, the Sustainability Office encourages you to become a "Green Your Routine" volunteer!
You might assist City staff at festivals and unique events by staffing information tables or assisting with recycling operations. Or you might coordinate an event to generate awareness and educate residents about sustainability in your own neighborhood. You may volunteer to help maintain a butterfly garden, or if you enjoy writing, you may want to consider developing articles for neighborhood association newsletters.
You can choose the activities that best suit you based on your time schedule, comfort level, and style. Recruiting others to participate with you is an important aspect of this role as well. Whatever you choose, you can count on making a difference in your neighborhood, Fort Lauderdale, and your world!
How do I become a representative?
To become a representative, please contact your neighborhood association and let an official know you are interested in participating on behalf of your association. Green Your Routine Representative Form (scroll down) must be filled out and submitted. You will be invited to attend the next meeting and begin earning points for your association.
Green Your Routine Meetings
Under the direction of the City's Green Your Routine Coordinator, GYR Representatives meet on the 2nd Monday of every other month (February, April, June, August, October, and December). There is no meet up for all volunteers involved in the program, only the Representatives.
How does my association earn money?
The Green Your Routine Coordinator develops specific activities for each year's SIG. Each of the activities is worth a set number of points. In September of each year, representatives submit an application documenting point earned during the fiscal year, which is October 1 - September 30. The Sustainability Incentive Grant check is presented to each participating community at a City Commission meeting. In addition, volunteers receive a thank you gift from the City for their participation and support of the program.
Forms
FAQs
How can I help with the TAKE 5 program?
More information about how to get involved can be found on our Green Your Routine page.
Can I get my recycle cart back after it has been removed?
You will be eligible to apply for a recycle cart after 90 days. You will be required to complete the TAKE5 anti-contamination course and sign the TAKE5 pledge. The contents of the recycle cart will be monitored with future inspections to ensure only the acceptable items are placed in the cart.
How will the TAKE5 program work?
For 3 consecutive weeks, City of Fort Lauderdale employees and Green Your Routine volunteers will be checking the contents of blue recycling carts placed curbside in specific neighborhoods on their scheduled recycling day. Recycling carts that do not have any contamination will be given a “Good Job” tag.
Recycling carts containing garbage and non-recyclable materials will be tagged to identify the non-recyclable materials and will not be serviced. The non-recyclable materials must be removed from the cart in order to be serviced on the next scheduled recycling day. Carts found to have contamination after 3 inspections may be subject to immediate removal.
What are the acceptable items that should be placed in the blue recycling cart?
- Paper
- Metal Cans
- Cardboard
- Plastic Bottles and Containers
- Glass Containers
More Details about TAKE5
What is TAKE5?
TAKE5 was developed by the City of Fort Lauderdale to improve the recycling collection program by eliminating contamination and increase the quality of collected materials. This helps to keep the costs to our City as low as possible. More details about TAKE5
Do I need to schedule a curbside pick-up for my electronics?
Yes. You can schedule a pick-up by 4pm on the day before your regularly scheduled recycling day by completing an online Curbside Electronics Pick-Up Request Form or calling the 24-Hour Neighbor Call Center at (954) 828-8000.
How do I set my electronics out for collection?
All electronics should be placed to the curb next to your blue cart no earlier than 6pm the night before your scheduled collection day but no later than 7am on your scheduled collection day. You can place items in a cardboard box if they are small.
What holidays will I not receive collection?
The City of Fort Lauderdale has regular collections on all holidays, with the exception of Christmas Day.
Why should I recycle my electronics?
Electronics contain heavy metals and other environmental contaminants. By recycling them, you will prevent pollution and allow useful components to be repurposed.