The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has asked presidential campaigns in the state to recycle their campaign signs after the election.
The Energy, Climate Change and Economic Security Act of 2008 signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist established a 75 percent recycling goal by 2020 for the state of Florida, according to a FDEP press release.
"Recycling campaign materials is one way that people can help Florida achieve its recycling goal of 75 percent by 2020," said Marguerite Jordan, a spokeswoman for FDEP.
Representatives from both presidential campaigns in Alachua County are recycling campaign signs.
"Throughout the Democratic headquarters there are easily accessible recycling bins," said Dan Cicenia, the campaign manager for the Alachua County Democratic Executive Committee.
Mildred Russell, an Alachua County Republican Party liason to the Republican Party of Florida, said that after the election is over, campaign materials that are not too weathered will be taken down and recycled.
Alachua County recycles 32 percent of its waste, said Jeff Roller, the recycling programs coordinator for Alachua County Public Works.
He said the last active landfill in Alachua County lasted four years longer than projected because of recycling.
Pasteboard, the material used to make campaign signs, cannot currently be recycled with curbside collection, but it can be composted.
"We are willing to assist any campaign of any party looking either to establish a recycling program or enhance an existing recycling program," Roller said.
