The Florida Senate

The Legislature finds that the failure or inability to economically recover material and energy resources from solid waste results in the unnecessary waste and depletion of our natural resources. As the state continues to grow, so will the potential amount of discarded material that must be treated and disposed of, necessitating the improvement of solid waste collection and disposal. Therefore, the maximum recycling and reuse of such resources are considered high-priority goals of the state.

By the year 2020, the long-term goal for the recycling efforts of state and local governmental entities, private companies and organizations, and the general public is to recycle at least 75 percent of the municipal solid waste that would otherwise be disposed of in waste management facilities, landfills, or incineration facilities. However, any solid waste used for the production of renewable energy shall count toward the long-term recycling goal as set forth in this part.

Each state agency, K-12 public school, public institution of higher learning, community college, and state university, including all buildings that are occupied by municipal, county, or state employees and entities occupying buildings managed by the Department of Management Services, must, at a minimum, annually report all recycled materials to the county using the department’s designated reporting format. Private businesses, other than certified recovered materials dealers, that recycle paper, metals, glass, plastics, textiles, rubber materials, and mulch, are encouraged to report the amount of materials they recycle to the county annually beginning January 1, 2011, using the department’s designated reporting format. Using the information provided, the department shall recognize those private businesses that demonstrate outstanding recycling efforts. Notwithstanding any other provision of state or county law, private businesses, other than certified recovered materials dealers, shall not be required to report recycling rates. Cities with less than a population of 2,500 and per capita taxable value less than $48,000 and cities with a per capita taxable value less than $30,000 are exempt from the reporting requirement specified in this ¹subsection.

The Department of Environmental Protection shall develop a comprehensive recycling program that is designed to achieve the percentage under subsection (2) and submit the program to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1, 2010. The program may not be implemented until approved by the Legislature. The program must be developed in coordination with input from state and local entities, private businesses, and the public. Under the program, recyclable materials shall include, but are not limited to, metals, paper, glass, plastic, textile, rubber materials, and mulch. Components of the program shall include, but are not limited to:

The Department of Environmental Protection shall create the Recycling Business Assistance Center by December 1, 2010. In carrying out its duties under this subsection, the department shall consult with state agency personnel appointed to serve as economic development liaisons under s. 288.021 and seek technical assistance from Enterprise Florida, Inc., to ensure the Recycling Business Assistance Center is positioned to succeed. The purpose of the center shall be to serve as the mechanism for coordination among state agencies and the private sector in order to coordinate policy and overall strategic planning for developing new markets and expanding and enhancing existing markets for recyclable materials in this state, other states, and foreign countries. The duties of the center must include, at a minimum: