INTRODUCTION:
The waste management of Cape Coral and that of most Lee County is undertaken by a privately operated company known as WASTE PRO. As a company they provide refuse collection and recycling services across the whole US and have a large operation in the state of Florida.
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FLORIDAS APPROACH TO REDUCING WASTE:
As a whole, the Florida department of environmental protection has outlined its ambitions for the future in regard to the reduction of waste. In 2008, the Florida Legislature set a recycling goal of 75% by 2020 for Florida counties. This included approaches to Construction & Demolition Debris Disposal and Recycling. In 2019, the state-wide overall recycling rate was 52% — still a long way from the 75% goal.
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Market demands complicate the recycling goal. Whether or not a material can be recycled depends on whether there’s a buyer or end-user for it. Things that don’t have a market will be thrown out if they are collected mistakenly, which increases costs. “If you don’t have a market for a material,” Cory said, “then there’s no recycling.”
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In the current approach, all materials are treated the same to calculate the recycling rate. The new approach is weighted by a sustainability metric – different materials are given different amounts of recycling credit. A ton of aluminium may be more impactful than the same amount of yard trash or paper when calculating the recycling rate. This approach can help motivate the use and reuse of materials more productively over their life cycles.
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LEGISLATION (2008)
403.7065 Procurement of products or materials
‘Any state agency or agency of a political subdivision of the state which is using state funds, or any person contracting with any such agency with respect to work performed under contract, is required to procure products or materials with recycled content when the Department of Management Services determines that those products or materials are available.’
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366.91 Renewable energy.
‘The Legislature finds that it is in the public interest to promote the development of renewable energy resources in this state. Renewable energy resources have the potential to help diversify fuel types to meet Florida’s growing dependency on natural gas for electric production, minimize the volatility of fuel costs, encourage investment within the state, improve environmental conditions, and make Florida a leader in new and innovative technologies.’
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POST DISASTER RESPONSE.
The Cape coral website made the statement that ‘Waste Pro collections resume on Monday, October 3, using the regular collection schedule. This collection is for household garbage only − everyday trash items and spoiled food. Collection of recycling, horticulture, and bulk waste will resume later.
Streets with low power lines or branches preventing garbage trucks from collecting trash will have an alternate collection process. The city will work with Waste Pro to log these streets and collect the garbage.’
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They went on to say ‘City crews continue to clear streets of debris from major roadways and local streets. Call the City’s Call Centre, 3-1-1 if you identify any streets that were not cleared.’
