Municipal Recycling

The Pennsylvania Waste Watcher Awards have been issued to individuals, municipalities and businesses for outstanding efforts in recycling. About 100 organizations and 32 counties were recognized at an April presentation in Harrisburg.

Waste Watcher Awards were given in nine categories: Curbside Recycling Collection, Drop-off Recycling, Recycling Education Programs, Materials Recovery Facilities, Recycled Product Manufacturers, Composting Facilities and Reuse, a new category for 2001. The awards are co-sponsored by the Department of Environmental Protection, the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP) and the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association (PWIA). Some of organizations recognized include:

• Delaware County Solid Waste Authority for collecting more than 3,000 cell phones for donation to domestic-abuse programs.

• Blair County for a year-round yard waste and composting facility

• Chester County for a program that collects more than 45 materials

• Clinton County for a county-wide recycling program

• Mifflin County for the Lewistown curbside recycling program

• Silver Lake Township in Susquehanna County for requiring recycling.

Florida May Rework Recycling Programs

A bill passed in the 2001 Florida legislative session includes a provision that requires state environmental officials to review Florida’s recycling efforts while also setting up a pilot program to review methods to deal with the growing electronics waste stream.

The provision includes reviewing the feasibility of maintaining, extending or reviewing recycling goals; the effectiveness of current programs for meeting those goals; the role of Keep Florida Beautiful; and the need to continue those programs, among others. The bill says to research these areas the department should consult those in the recycling industry, both public and private businesses, as well as government representatives. Findings are to be reported by Oct. 21 to the Florida governor, President of the Florida Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

HB 9 boosts requirements for solid waste companies who want to build or expand by requiring proof of local zoning approval before going to the state Department of Environment for final approval. Companies must prove they have zoning and local approval before a final permit can be issued. This proof can be in the form of a letter or something that shows approval has been given.

HB 9 stems from a situation in which a construction and demolition facility did not tell city officials of plans and the city spent thousands of dollars in legal fees.