Florida’s growing population and booming tourism industry have placed increasing pressure on the state’s waste management system. 

In 2008, Florida set a goal to recycle 75% of its municipal solid waste (MSW)—everyday trash from homes, businesses, and public institutions—by 2020. However, by that deadline, the state had only achieved a 50% recycling rate. 

Instead, the state had generated nearly twice the national average of MSW in 2020, producing more than two tons per resident, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). 

This shortfall highlighted challenges within Florida’s recycling system, such as contamination in recycling streams, which occurs when non-recyclables are placed in recycling bins. Additionally, the recycling rate goals were measured by weight, encouraging counties to recycle heavier materials and failing to emphasize the use of sustainable materials and waste prevention at the source.  

While some counties, like Palm Beach County, have surpassed the state’s recycling goals, other municipalities have had to reduce or discontinue their recycling programs due to limited policy support.   

As landfill use increases and waste management demands grow, Florida lawmakers have introduced new legislation to evaluate and improve recycling efforts and waste management, aiming to develop a more effective system that can meet the demands of a growing state. 

Comprehensive Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan Recycling Bin

SB200 and its identical companion HB295, introduced by Senator Lori Berman (D) and Representative Joseph Casello (D), aim to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan for Florida.  

Despite being proposed in 2022, 2023, and 2024, the bills failed to pass each time. While the core goal has remained consistent over the years, the language has evolved to place greater emphasis on actionable strategies, stakeholder collaboration, and concrete implementation steps like a 3-year long plan to strengthen the state’s recycling and waste reduction efforts. Their repeated introduction highlights ongoing discussions around the need to reassess and improve Florida’s recycling strategies.

If passed, the bills would direct the Florida DEP to develop a three-year plan to implement the following strategies: 

  • Recycling Education and Outreach: Create statewide solutions to provide local recycling information and education to communities across Florida. 
  • Local Government Recycling Assistance: Evaluate the former Recycling and Education Grant Program and recommend whether to reinstate it or explore other methods to assist local governments with recycling programs. 
  • Recycled Materials Market Development: Recommend strategies to develop and promote the demand for recycled products. 
  • Reporting and Recommendations: Submit a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House with recommendations for statutory changes needed to achieve the recycling goals and strategies outlined in the plan. 

Some businesses may be concerned about the potential new rules requiring them to invest in better recycling systems and comply with stricter waste diversion goals. However, others note that this initiative could expand and create new jobs in the recycling and waste management sectors while helping local governments improve their waste reduction efforts.  

According to the fiscal analysis of SB200, the DEP anticipates being able to develop the plan within its existing resources. However, the long-term financial impact remains uncertain, as future implementation costs will depend on the recommendations outlined in the final plan. 

Auxiliary Containers, Wrappings, and Disposable Plastic Bags

Florida’s unique ecosystems face increasing threats from pollution, sparking ongoing debates over packaging regulations and waste management policies. 

Under Current law, local governments are prohibited from enacting laws that ban or regulate plastic bags, auxiliary containers, and similar materials due to state preemption. 

SB836 and its identical companion HB6023 introduced by Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith (D) and Representative Robin Bartleman (D), seek to remove this state preemption, allowing local governments to regulate or ban plastic bags, auxiliary containers, and wrappings as they see fit. 

“Local governments, being closest to the environmental issues that impact their communities, are often better equipped to implement policies that address the specific needs of their regions, “Bartleman said. 

By removing existing restrictions, these bills aim to empower cities and counties to regulate plastic waste, giving local authorities the ability to craft tailored policies that best serve both their citizens and ecosystems. 

Critics argue that removing state preemption could result in a patchwork of inconsistent laws across the state, potentially complicating enforcement and adding complexity for businesses that operate in multiple municipalities. 

Regulation of Auxiliary Containers

As Florida continues to balance environmental protection with economic interests, other bills reinforce the existing ban on local plastic regulations. 

HB565 and SB 1822, sponsored by Representative Omar Blanco (R) and Senator Jonathan Martin (R), would uphold state control over plastic regulation, preventing local governments from enacting their own rules.  

These bills also formally define “auxiliary container” and remove outdated language from a previous environmental study, further solidifying the current statewide approach.   

Not only would these bills affect existing regulations aimed at protecting waterways, but they would also prevent any state agency from regulating food packaging, including within Florida State Parks. 

In previous years, similar bills aiming to restrict local regulations on plastic bags and containers have died and faced significant opposition from environmental advocates. Many express concern that such legislation could lead to the rollback of local protections for Florida’s cherished natural areas, including its springs and parks. 

House bill sponsor, Blanco said that that while he personally doesn’t like to use disposable plastic items, he acknowledges that alternative products can sometimes be too expensive or difficult to find. 

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Florida’s recycling and waste management challenges draw attention to the ongoing balancing act between protecting the environment and supporting business needs as the state’s population grows. Bills on both sides of the debate highlight the importance of finding a solution that supports both Florida’s treasured ecosystems and its expanding industries.  

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