Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Project: Rethink. Reset. Recycle. Website Phase 2 Development 

Student: Shanaya Jaitly 

Shanaya Jaitly, a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a dual degree in Environment and Society and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences worked as a Sustainability Fellow during the Spring 2023 semester. Driven by her passion for sustainability and combatting environmental injustice, Shanaya envisions a future where she can advocate for environmental policies aimed at addressing anthropogenic climate change. Eager to make a difference, Shanaya eagerly joined the Sustainability Fellows program, determined to engage the greater Tallahassee community in sustainability and conservation initiatives. To her, sustainability means promoting longevity, self-sufficiency, and meeting the needs of all individuals. 

Shanaya found a valuable partner in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The significance of this partnership lies in the fact that recycling practices vary across different regions of Florida, leading to confusion among citizens. FDEP regularly receives inquiries from Floridians seeking information about local recycling opportunities. However, FDEP lacked an online presence to assist in directing citizens to the appropriate facilities for recycling. 

Recognizing the need for a comprehensive online resource, FDEP sought to create a platform where citizens could learn about the materials accepted in their local recycling programs. Additionally, the resource would provide guidance on the proper disposal of hard-to-recycle items, such as electronics and other materials requiring special handling. Shanaya's project aimed to address this crucial gap and empower Floridians with accessible recycling information. 

Shanaya's academic journey, thus far, at FSU has equipped her with the knowledge and understanding of sustainability and environmental issues necessary to tackle this project. She plans to contribute to environmental justice on a larger scale in her future career.  

Shanaya utilized Excel to organize the collected data into spreadsheets, focusing on each county in Florida. Her research process involved first identifying the resources provided by county governments. Subsequently, she researched individual municipalities within each county to determine their specific recycling programs and collection processes. Additionally, Shanaya compiled information on hazardous household waste and electronic waste collection programs. The result was a comprehensive resource that included program details, acceptable materials, collection days, times, locations, and contact information for each municipality. 

"What I enjoyed most about being a Sustainability Fellow over the past semester has been the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the issue of sustainability as it affects the state of Florida," shared Shanaya. "It has been incredibly impactful to learn about this issue within a local context, particularly within my research project, which involved examining sustainable practices and green initiatives being produced by individual counties, cities, towns, and municipalities across the state." 

Given the extensive research required for this project, Shanaya's data collection is still in progress. She has collected data for the top ten counties in Florida based on population size. These counties were prioritized due to their significant contributions to the overall waste collected in Florida.  

The collected and organized information will then be uploaded to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection website, serving as a valuable resource for Florida residents. Increasing public awareness and participation in sustainable waste collection programs is vital for creating a more sustainable future. By providing Florida residents with accessible information, the project aims to empower individuals to make environmentally conscious choices in their daily lives. 

"My experience as a Sustainability Fellow has immensely developed my professionalism, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and organization skills, all of which will be immensely helpful as I enter future endeavors," expressed Shanaya. 

Shanaya's journey as a Sustainability Fellow with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has not only contributed to her personal and professional growth but also aims to create a positive impact on sustainability practices in Florida. Through her meticulous research and dedication, she has worked towards providing Floridians with a comprehensive online resource that will guide them in making sustainable choices and encourage active participation in recycling programs. 

To learn more about the Sustainability Fellows program, visit sustainablecampus.fsu.edu/sustainability-fellows.