1. Broward County Climate Change Task ForceRecycling in Broward County: An Update & Review of its Potential Role in Reducing Greenhouse Gas EmissionsBy Phil Bresee, Recycling Program Manager, Broward CountyFebruary 19, 2009 1
2. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Contributions to GHG Emissions* 2 Source: Governor’s Climate Action Team, 2008 * = Sector based…
3. What’s in Broward County’s MSW? 3 Source: Broward County Waste and Recycling Services, 2008.
4. How Should MSW be Managed? 4 US EPA developed solid waste management hierarchy in late 1980s. Source, or waste reduction means minimizing or not creating waste in the first place. Recycling is preferred way to manage materials. WTE with energy recovery for non-recyclable trash offers benefits through less reliance on fossil fuels.
5. Recent MSW and Recycling Trends in Broward County 5 Sources: Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection & Broward County Waste and Recycling Services, 2008.
6. Recycling in Broward County: Background 1988 Florida Solid Waste Management Act established county recycling goals, including 30% recycling goal by end of 1994. State also established Recycling & Education grants to counties. First Broward County curbside recycling program began 1988-89 in unincorporated areas collecting aluminum cans and newspaper through “curb-sorting”. City recyclables delivered to various local Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs, pronounced “Murph”); County’s Resource Recovery System elected to pursue system-wide MRF in 1991. All but two of Broward County’s cities provide curbside recycling. Some cities also provide or facilitate recycling at multi-family complexes (condos and apartments). 6
7. Recycling in Broward County: Background County provides other recycling services including: Recycling collections at Broward County Public Schools Recycling at County agencies Electronics recycling Household hazardous waste recycling Recycling at County Parks 7
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9. State consideration of renewable energy sources, including WTE biomass and landfill gas diversion credits in achieving goals. (part of 2008 Energy Bill – HB 7135)
29. Fewer injuriesCart collections can also help facilitate recycling incentive programs (RecycleBank). Single-stream recycling can also better facilitate business and institutional recycling. County / RRB staff working with cities on transition to single-stream; will most likely utilize system-wide combination of bins and carts, at least initially. 11
62. Employment base of 32,000 with payroll of $765 million.Recyclables are commodities. (commodity prices have been impacted by global recession) Illustration courtesy of US EPA.
63. Conclusions Recycling is a demonstrated environmental protection success story with environmental and economic benefits. Environmental goals can seem abstract – recycling allows for hands-on and visible opportunity for citizens and businesses to help their environment. Is a “low-hanging fruit” for cities and counties to use to help reduce their carbon footprints. Uses infrastructure already in place. Recycling can be a “gateway” to other positive environmental behaviors. 18