Florida is Getting Real About Recycling

Govenor Charlie Crist signed into effect the 2008 Energy Bill, establishing a new statewide recycling goal for Florida. Under the new bill, the state should reduce the amount of recyclable materials currently being thrown away by 75% by 2020. It's an excellent goal, and as a current Florida resident one that I'm excited about, but the DEP is going to need input and suggestions from the public to succeed in its implementation.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held its first public meeting on September 22 in Orlando to receive input on innovative ways the state can recycle more. Over 175 people participated in the Orlando meeting and provided useful suggestions and thoughtful comments. The next meeting will be held December 2, 2008 in Tallahassee. In addition to public meetings, DEP has set up a Web forum to enable all Floridians to submit their recycling ideas and join on-line discussions on this important topic. Whether you are a Florida resident, a Florida visitor, or even an outsider with some valuable recycling information I encourage you to participate in the discussions.

As an apartment dweller in Florida, I've always been discouraged by the lack of recycling programs available to me. Throughout college and over the last few years I've lived in 8 apartment complexes in Orlando and not one of them had a recycling program. Considering that so many of Orlando's residents live in apartments and condominiums it seems that this goal will not be able to be met without creating a recycling program that would cater to these residents. Has anyone seen, or participated in a successful apartment recycling program? How was it implemented?