A hodgepodge of specially designed rickshaws competed against the clock at the 2nd Annual Recycling Derby held at Walking Tree Brewery to benefit Coastal Connection’s sustainability initiative, Bello Goes Zero .
Teams were tasked with building a vehicle made from 75% recycled materials, then powering it up and navigating a ludicrous obstacle course.
“We ran an obstacle course to raise awareness of recycling and recycling needs within our community, showing that recycling is one way we can all be part of protecting the environment and saving sea turtles. ,” said Kendra Cope, Coastal Connections president and founder.
Nine teams of passionate environmentalists didn’t let the drizzle slow them down. They pushed, pulled, dragged, and hauled pieces through quirky courses that included his 10-turn pallet pyramid bridge and Dizzy Bat Station while the driver held his forehead. With a baseball bat, before going through an agility keg and across a rubber hose pit. In the Cart Pong Challenge he sank three basketballs into the dumpster for the first time before the team was able to cross the final ramp and cross the finish line.
Participants were judged on timing, creativity and showmanship. Derby’s “cars” were made out of old grocery carts, kid-sized cars and barrels and showcased themes from turtles to turkeys to “Flintstones.” Each was eventually dismantled and recycled after the race.
Top Gun’s team of fighter pilots, representing Puddles by the Sea, “dive in” and won, winning a year of free beer and $500 in cash at Walking Tree Brewery.
After the race, we perused the auction items and merchandise from eco-conscious vendors and artists, while enjoying music and beer while showcasing items made from recycled, natural and upcycled products.
Coastal Connections developed the Vero Goes Zero initiative and other programs to educate residents about recycling and the important role of recycling in protecting the environment, especially reducing plastic waste in the county.
“Recycling is important to our mission. It can be avoided by diverting it from the ground and keeping it out of the trash and bins,” Coop said.
The average American produces about 1,600 pounds of garbage each year, which can be greatly reduced through recycling. Diverting waste from landfills can ultimately reduce the production of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
“The ultimate goal is to find ways to reuse what we use in this world, rather than constantly creating new trash and waste.By eliminating or reducing the waste we have, Ultimately, it helps protect a variety of endangered animals, such as sea turtles, which have been shown to be adversely affected by swallowing debris that we create ourselves.
Walking Tree Brewery office manager Brooke Malone told the post-Derby crowd that he spent a lot of time taking trash out of bins after the event, saying, “I don’t have to do that once today. I didn’t,” he added.
Other programs include placing baskets at public beach access points to encourage beachgoers to pick up their litter. Support small businesses that use plastic alternatives. Install signage and recycling bins at Ocean Drive Farmers Market. WRAP recycling including removal of soft plastics from small businesses.
Coastal Connections will host Shell’ebration on November 12th to celebrate its achievements and the end of the sea turtle nesting season.
For more information, visit coastal-connections.org.
Photo by Joshua Kodis
