Florida County Holding Meeting to Consider Mandatory Recycling

The Lee County, Fla., Board of County Commissioners will beholding a public hearing on Sept. 28, where they will discuss the adoption of an ordinance that would mandate business recycling. According to the agenda, if passed, the ordinance would seek to establish local rules for all businesses, institutions, multifamily properties and construction projects in unincorporated Lee County.

The staff of the county Solid Waste Department has recommended the passage of the ordinance.

The Solid Waste Division and County Attorneys’ Office drafted the ordinance and presented it to the Executive Review Oversight Committee on July 11, where it was revised and presented to the board for a final decision.

Under the ordinance the following would need to take place:

All businesses within unincorporated areas of the county would establish an on-site recycling program and recycle at least one recyclable material.

Each business shall enter into a written service agreement with a service provider. The provider must offer at least one collection every two weeks for recyclables.

A provider will be responsible for collection, storage and transportation of the material to the market.

Businesses must maintain the recycling program form on site for review, beginning Jan. 1, 2008.