Florida already missed its 2016 recycling benchmark by six percent and, unless state and local governments ramp up efforts, it may fall short of its 2020聽goal.
Last year, the state recycled 54 percent of its waste, according to the聽Department of Environmental Protection. That鈥檚 ways away from the 75 percent objective by the year 2020 mandated by the legislature.
Most single-family residences with curbside recycling pick up in the Tampa Bay are doing their part, according to county聽reports. Al Donn, 68, is especially passionate about minimizing his waste. He even picks up what鈥檚 not his when he goes on his morning walks. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want it harming the environment,鈥� he said.
But when he goes out to eat with his wife, they have one option: the trash bin. So, they walk out with their polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam) cups. 鈥淲e take it someplace where it can be recycled,鈥� Donn said.
Most of what goes to the landfill in Pinellas County comes from commercial buildings. One-thousand trucks full of trash arrive at the solid waste management facility daily. 鈥淲e would love businesses to reduce the amount of waste that they’re sending to us,鈥� Catherine Eichner, Pinellas County Solid Waste Environmental Specialist, said.
States like Minnesota and California require their businesses and apartment complexes to recycle by law; Florida doesn鈥檛.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 very important that we continue to recycle. One thing our schools have done a really good job educating our kids and our grandkids,鈥� Gov. Scott said. 鈥淚 have grandkids. They always make sure they know which one is the recycling bin in our house. Hopefully, everybody will be doing that and hopefully, we鈥檒l get caught back up.鈥�
Pinellas County burns most of the garbage that doesn鈥檛 get recycled to produce energy, enough to power 40,000 houses and businesses every day. But staff at the landfill will tell you, they have enough trash to burn.
鈥淩ecycling all these materials would save natural resources: oil, energy, water,鈥� Sarah Herzig, Pinellas County聽Solid Waste聽Technician, said. 鈥淲e only want what can’t be recycled to come here and then, we’ll use it as a resource.鈥�
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