Hey Orlando, in the month of June we collected 13,222.25 tons of garbage and yard waste. 

How much is that though? Let's break it down based on weight. Pick one of the below that helps you better visualize the amount of trash we have all dumped in one month:

26 million soccer balls
1 million suitcases
264,000 electric scooters
53,000 Lake Eola swan boats
44,000 crape myrtle trees
413 city garbage trucks (they’re heavy from all your trash)

Whatever your preferred visual is, it’s a bit shocking, right? And this is just in one month. So, let’s work together to learn how we can actually make a difference in making less trash and stop adding to the landfills. 

Learn it: 

Join us for our virtual ReThink Your Waste: Kitchen Edition Workshop on August 13 at 9:30 a.m.  

Brush up on how to reduce your food waste, including how to properly store food to keep it fresh longer 

Not sure if something can be recycled? Look it up on our What Goes Where Tool 

Do it: 

Get a FREE composter and start turning those scraps into rich soil 

Recycle all that used cooking oil for FREE using one of our drop-off locations 

Responsibly recycle your electronics and textiles on August 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Don’t pitch it, fix it! Get your stuff fixed by local helpers on September 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

The Importance of Purple in Our City 

The Purple Heart is our nation’s oldest military medal, created in 1782, and is awarded to members of the armed forces who are wounded or lost their lives in combat. By officially designating Orlando as a Purple Heart City, we’re able to honor and recognize our residents and visitors who are Purple Heart veterans, furthering the mission of welcoming our Purple Heart veterans warmly, and showing that Orlando truly is a veteran-friendly place to be. 

On this Purple Heart Day, August 7, we join our nation in commemorating the Purple Heart Medal and the sacrifices our military members have made for our country. On Sunday, we will raise and fly the Purple Heart Flag at City Hall honoring our currently serving military, veterans and Purple Heart recipients. 

How We Bounce Back Quickly

We're working to develop a Resilience Plan to solve some of our toughest challenges and strengthen our ability to overcome the potential impacts of natural disasters or manmade threats. 

The Resilience Plan will help residents know what to do, and where to go for assistance to ensure that everyone has the resources and support to bounce back in the face of adversity. 

This includes, but not limited to, hurricanes and extreme heat; homelessness; affordable housing; access to free internet for all and more. 

Resident feedback will help to frame future policies and programs and to improve the city’s resilience to hazards, changing conditions and socioeconomic stresses. 

There are two ways you can provide feedback:

In person: Monday, August 8 at the College Park Neighborhood Center    6 – 7:30 p.m.
Online: Complete a public survey - Resilience Plan Resident Feedback Survey

Follow along for future updates at orlando.gov/resilienceplan

Happy Birthday, Mayor!

You may have noticed we just celebrated our 147th birthday, but did you know Mayor Buddy Dyer’s birthday is just one week after ours? He’s turning [indistinguishable muffled whispers] years old on August 7! 

Join us in celebrating Mayor Dyer – give him a shout out on social media! (You know there will be some singing at the next City Council Meeting too).

A Whole Store to Make Your Trash Can’t

Zero Orlando is a thoughtfully curated general store and refillery created by Ingrid Hames. Ingrid was inspired by her mother who was very eco-conscious, a lover of animals and was always finding ways to reduce waste. Over the years, Ingrid noticed there weren't many options in Orlando to refill your containers or purchase zero waste products, so she created and opened Zero Orlando. 

Zero Orlando started as a vendor at local pop-ups and markets in Thornton Park. Over the years the business grew and Ingrid found the perfect location on Summerlin Avenue. All the products sold at Zero Orlando are plastic-free, vegan and low-waste and from minority-owned businesses. That’s what we call a win-win. Visit Zero Orlando at 115 North Summerlin Avenue or on zero-orlando.com.

Other Things You Should Know

So what’s this MBK Summer Teen Enrichment Program?

National Night Out is heating up, mark your calendars

We’re preparing for the Orlando Police Department Change of Command Ceremony

Early voting starts August 8 for the Primary Elections (August 23)

Now Hiring

New Job Openings

School Crossing Guard – part-time – Police Department 

Digital Product Manager – Information Technology

Digital Service Designer and Delivery Manager – Information Technology 

Fire Public Information Manager – Fire Department 

Follow City of Orlando Careers on Facebook and LinkedIn.

View all jobs

Events

Public Board Meetings

Visit orlando.gov/publicmeetings 
for more meetings and location details

Creative Village Development Review Committee
August 9, 3 p.m.

Budget Review Committee
August 9, 3:30 p.m.

Code Enforcement Board
August 10, 9 a.m.

Southeast Town Design Review Committee
August 11, 3 p.m.

Orlando Farmers Market
August 7
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Lake Eola Park
20 North Eola Drive

Ecology in Action Day
August 9
10 - 11 a.m.
Lake Lorna Doone Park
1519 West Church Street

Community Connections - You Have No Idea! Resources for Support
August 13
9 - 11 a.m.
Internal Operations Center
450 East South Street

COVID Information and Resources

Order free at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government at covidtests.gov 

Vaccine information can be found at ocfl.net/vaccine  

Updates on city services can be found at orlando.gov/covid19  

Updates on Orange County services can be found at ocfl.net/covid19