Overview of Activities
I. School Education: SCEPD introduced the "Classroom Programs" series for the Shelby County Schools which was created in order to educate students on the environment in a creative, exciting, yet informative way. Topics range from "Battery Barn or the Trash" (deals with the subject of Household Hazardous Waste and its' lasting effects on our environment) to "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle".
II. Storm Water Runoff Awareness Program: Water, like air is one thing we cannot do without. Memphis and Shelby County obtain all their drinking water from below the ground, but much of this water gets there by soaking through the earth from our rivers and wetlands after every rain event. The SCEPD provides educational programs on the importance of keeping our storm water runoff clean as it flows into our rivers and wetlands. Clean, pure water is one of the greatest assets of our community, and we need to keep it that way!
III. Shelby County Tire Recycling Center: Every day our community generates between two and three thousand tires that must be disposed of properly. The SCEPD facility is open five days a week from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. It is located at 511 Pear Avenue. Tire dealers and consumers or large numbers of tires must pay a fee to dispose of their tires. For more information, please call 523-7269.
IV. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event: The SCEPD in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the City of Memphis provide a minimum of one event annually to drop off household hazardous waste (HHW). All Shelby County residents are encouraged to bring their hazardous products to these events to safeguard our community from improper disposal. Since 1993, we have safely disposed of thousands of pounds of HHW that would have otherwise, been put into our landfills or disposed of improperly.
V. Schools Science Fairs: As part of the continuing effort to educate teachers and students about the importance of the environment, the SCEPD works closely with the organizers of the Schools Science Fairs. This partnership keeps an environmental component in the theme of the Fairs and provides additional opportunities for recognition of students with quality projects.
