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Waste Management
In 2008 the Florida Legislature set a new statewide recycling goal of 75 percent to be achieved by 2020 pursuant to subsection 403.7032(2), Florida Statutes. In 2010 with the passage of Chapter 2010-143, Laws of Florida, the Legislature also assigned that goal to counties with populations of more than 100,000. Previously, since 1988, the recycling goal for counties had been 30 percent. This goal applies to about half of the state's 67 counties, which together represent 95 percent of the state's population and municipal solid waste. While smaller counties are not held to the 75 percent goal, they are still required to offer 'an opportunity to recycle.' This goal is achieved by counties providing places for citizens to drop off recyclable materials. Additionally, some counties have staff who serves as outreach coordinators to educate the community on recycling programs.
Why Is This Important?
Recycling reduces the amount of energy and natural resources needed to make products out of raw materials. It also reduces the environmental impact of waste disposal. Waste that is recycled is diverted from landfills, thereby conserving valuable landfill space. This conservation reduces the need for new landfills that are difficult to site in Florida due to geological, growth, or local stakeholders' concerns, as examples.
How Is Florida Doing?
For the five years from 2004-2008, the tons of municipal solid waste being recycled fluctuated up and down between 8.5 to 9.3 million tons per year, as did the statewide recycling rate, from a low of 24 percent (2006) to a high of 29 percent (2008). At the same time, total municipal solid waste generated decreased from a historic high of 34.7 million tons in 2006 down to 30 million tons in 2008, with the state’s economic recession being the main cause of that decrease.
Scorecard
What Influences Waste Management?
Under the current voluntary compliance system for recycling, convenience is the single most important factor influencing recycling. Curbside collection of recyclable materials results in more recycling compared to drop-off collection sites. For the commercial, institutional, and residential sectors, education is an important factor. Many businesses and institutions are unaware of either the availability or the potential savings of utilizing recycling services. For the long-term sustainability of recycling, it is critical that demand-side markets be created and expanded for using recycled materials.
What Is the State's Role?
Recycling programs are primarily a function of municipal and county governments. Citizen participation is critical to higher recycling rates. The state's role is focused on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's outreach efforts, which include grant funding and technical assistance to local governments and nonprofit organizations. These activities help facilitate recycling at the local level, promote innovation, and encourage Floridians to recycle.
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