Florida Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiative Surfrider Foundation Presented by Phil Leary, AICP

The time has come for Florida to enact a waste reduction and recycling policy to help protect our environment and create economic activity.

Litter has become a huge problem in Florida, most noticeably on its beaches and waterways. Trash is a danger to people and wildlife, it spoils the natural beauty and costs millions to clean up.

Plastic litter on beaches has increased 146% since 1994, and plastic never biodegrades. Beverage containers comprise 40-60% of litter. Glass litter from discarded beverage bottles accounts for about 1 in 10 of all beach litter. Eighteen percent of all littered items end up in our streams and waterways as pollution.

Litter comes from many sources – the public, fishing activities, sewage pipes and shipping, but it is all preventable.

Recycling Initiative An incentive in Florida to improve recycling of beverage containers will help eliminate the diversion of containers to landfills, and lead to a decrease in energy use and carbon emissions used to extract and produce new materials. An incentive for recycling is good for the economy and helps reduce litter in a state that depends on tourism and natural beauty. A way to slow landfill growth and reduce litter is to mandate recycling by rewarding people for recycling by collecting and refunding a beverage container deposit system.

Environmental Benefits of Recycled Beverage Containers  Over a ton of natural resources is saved for every ton of beverage containers recycled  Energy costs drop about 2-3% for every 10% of recycled glass used in the manufacturing process  Six tons of recycled container glass used equals one ton of carbon dioxide reduced  Glass has an unlimited life; it can be recycled endlessly

PET Recycling Rate Aluminum Rate 2008/27% - 09/ % - 09/57.4

Bottle Deposit Program Rewards people for recycling, using a mechanism that mimics market incentives. A deposit is collected at the time of sale, and the money returned when the empty container is brought to a collection site. The cost of recycling is borne by producers and consumers, not by government and taxpayers.

Deposits reduce collection costs by removing lower- value container recyclables from the curbside stream. Bottle bills at work in other states have reduced container litter by 75 percent. Curbside recycling programs do not adequately capture aluminum cans. Despite a tripling in curbside access in the last decade the U.S. aluminum can recycling rate decreased from 65% in 1992 to around 50% in 2009.

A strong majority of Florida voters (63%) approve of a proposal for Florida to create its own recycling refund program, according to a statewide poll. A large majority (77%) surveyed have a positive opinion of recycling refund programs at work in other states.

Economic Study Supports Bottle Bill in Florida A University of Florida Economic Analysis found that changes in beverage consumption will almost certainly be essentially zero. A BCDRS conserves resources, reduces litter and waste disposal costs, and improves environmental quality. A beverage container deposit system also generates unredeemed deposit revenue of potentially $70 million annually that can help the state finance its services to the people of Florida and offset other tax burdens.

Help for the Florida Economy A recycling refund program could provide hundreds of new jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries. Glass manufacturers want to expand here but do not currently have enough recycled product to make new consumer goods including fiberglass and surface materials. 1 million more tons of recycled glass is needed annually by container makers.

Bottom Line: A significant amount of glass, PET and aluminum beverage containers slated for recycling actually ends up in landfills, but we can use that material to make new containers. Florida has an opportunity to be a leader on this issue and make a significant impact on its economy and its environment.

Legislation Leaders in the Florida House and Senate will call for an interim study to officially investigate the potential impacts of bottle bill legislation in Florida. A model draft bill has been filed by Senator Jack Latvala. Environmental and Industry leaders support the potential legislation.

How Can You Help? Contact your Florida Legislator by phone or and ask them to move forward with a beverage container deposit bill. Write letters to the editor to voice your support for a potential bottle bill. Appear at your local Legislative delegation meeting to ask that a bottle bill be created and supported.

Thank You Contact Phil for any questions or suggestions: (386)