A jumble of specially designed, people-powered vehicles raced against the clock and one another during the second annual Recycle Derby at Walking Tree Brewery to benefit the Coastal Connections sustainability initiative, Vero Goes Zero.
Teams were tasked with building vehicles built from 75 percent recycled materials before powering and racing them through a zany obstacle course.
“We are racing through an obstacle course to bring awareness to recycling and recycling needs within our community and how recycling is one of the ways that all of us can be a part of environmental protection and helping save sea turtles,” said Kendra Cope, Coastal Connections president and founding director.
Not even a drizzle could slow down the nine teams of dedicated environmentalists as they pushed, pulled, dragged or carried their creations through the wacky course that included a Pallet Pyramid Bridge, a Dizzy Bat station, where the drivers made 10 rotations while holding their foreheads on a baseball bat, before wending their way through the Agility Kegs and traversing the Rubber Hose Pit. Only after sinking three basketballs into recycling bins at the Cart Pong Challenge could teams travel over the final ramp and across the finish line.
Participants were judged on timing, creativity and showmanship. The derby “cars” were made from old grocery carts, child-sized cars and kegs, showcasing themes from turtles to turkeys and “The Flintstones.” Each was ultimately broken down and recycled after the race.
The Top Gun fighter pilot team, representing Paddles by the Sea, “flew” in and took First Place, earning them free beer for a year at Walking Tree Brewery and $500 in cash.
After the race, everyone enjoyed music and beer, while perusing auction items and wares offered by environmentally conscious vendors and artists showcasing items made from recycled, natural and upcycled products.
Coastal Connections developed the Vero Goes Zero initiative and other programs to educate residents on recycling and its critical role in protecting the environment, particularly the reduction of plastic waste in the county.
“Recycling is important to our mission. We are trying to find ways to divert trash. All the trash that we pick up during beach cleanups or through our cleanup effort could be avoided if we chose to recycle, diverting a lot of that waste from the landfill, keeping it out of our trashcans and trash receptacles,” said Cope.
The average American generates roughly 1,600 pounds of trash annually, which can be significantly reduced by recycling. Diverting waste from landfills can ultimately reduce the production of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
“The ultimate goal is to find ways to repurpose things we use in this world instead of always creating new trash or waste. By eliminating or reducing the waste that we have, we can ultimately help protect tons of different critically endangered animals like the sea turtles, that have been shown to be influenced negatively from swallowing debris that we ourselves are creating,” explained Cope.
Addressing the crowd post derby, Brooke Malone, Walking Tree Brewery’s office manager, said she generally spends a great deal of time pulling garbage out of recycling bins after events, adding, “I haven’t had to do that one time today.”
Other programs include placing baskets at public beach access points to encourage beachgoers to pick up trash; supporting small businesses that use plastic alternatives; placing signage and recycling bins at the Ocean Drive Farmers Market; and WRAP Recycling, which involves the removal of soft plastics from small businesses.
Coastal Connections will host a Shell’ebration on Nov. 12 to celebrate its accomplishments and the end of sea turtle nesting season.
For more information, visit coastal-connections.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
