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SoWal Staff

Serving the Community!
Staff member
Apr 14, 2006
3,835
511
South Walon, FL
SoWal.com
Despite Poor Markets, Walton County Recycling Program Moves Forward



Over the past several weeks, there have been questions surrounding the recycling program in Walton County, specifically the recycling and accepting of certain types of material. At this time, the Walton County Landfill continues to accept the same items it has in the past, excluding glass.



While recycling is an important part of the Solid Waste Department, items that are collected for the purpose of recycling are commodities, and thus affected by the commodities market. Currently the market for recyclables is down, and much of it is due to changes in China.



China is the world's largest importer of recycled plastic, paper and scrap metal. At the beginning of the year, China placed restrictions on the import of 24 different types of waste products from foreign countries. The restrictions went into full effect March 1st. These restrictions have created a global effect on the recyclable market.



A March 7th report on KPAX Channel 8 in Montana is a good example. "Here recently over the past year, China has reduced, restricted, limited both the types of recyclables they will accept, and the markets have become very difficult to find a buyer," said Glenda Bradshaw, General Manager for Republic Services. "So really, one of the things we say is our ability to pick-up residential recycling, is always contingent on having an end market for it to go to."1



The downturn in the commodity recycling markets have certainly made their way to Walton County.



"Currently, we have over 50 bales of plastic stored at the Landfill and we are continuing to recover and bale plastic from our recycling operation," said Billy McKee, Walton County Solid Waste Manager. "Due to the market conditions, the outlook for plastic is not good at this time, however, we continue to look for alternate markets and are hopeful that we can find a buyer in the near future."



As reported in the Orlando Sentinel, in July 2017, "Plummeting worldwide prices for recycled aluminum, glass, paper and plastics have some Central Florida cities down in the dumps about recycling. Orange County (recycling center) which had never charged to process municipal recyclables, informed cities they may have to pay Waste Management a $42-per ton fee." In contrast, the county charges $33.60 per ton to bury municipal waste at the landfill.2



A News & Observer story published March 15, shows how the markets are affecting things in Raleigh, NC. "The City of Raleigh sent 28,412 tons of recycling to the Sonoco Recycling plant...year ending June 30. Last June the City received $9/ton. Last month, we received $0.00," city spokeswoman Terri Godwin Hyman said in an email. "According to Sonoco, this is likely to be the case for at least the foreseeable future."3



The market is also causing turbulence to our international neighbors. According to a Canadian Broadcasting Company report on March 29th, Canadian cities and counties are affected as well. "Colchester County was sending 100 percent of its film plastics to China, amounting to 600 tons per year. It has now stockpiled 450 tones and has had to store hundreds of bales outside. There's a concern the material could degrade so that it could no longer be recycled."4



While the commodity markets for recyclables is trending down, Walton County remains committed to accepting recyclables today and in the future.



Per Florida Statute 403.706, counties with populations of less than 100,000 permanent residents are required to provide residents with the "opportunity to recycle". Counties with populations of more than 100,000 are required to establish a recycling program with a goal of recycling recyclable solid waste by 75 percent by 2020.



Walton County promotes recycling and provides recycling opportunities in a variety of ways and locations throughout the County.



Class III Landfill:

* Recyclable materials are pulled from the waste stream including, cardboard, lumber, wire, clothing, scrap metals (ferrous and non-ferrous)

* Cardboard, plastic bottles, aluminum cans can be dropped off at the landfill

* Drop off for white goods/appliances

* Electronics

* Brush and yard waste is processed and converted into mulch used for cover material and erosion control.

* Fixed Price Sale: A wide variety of items are salvaged that are still useable such as tools, toys, furniture, lumber, electronics, trailers, bicycles, beach chairs, tents, towels, etc.



Walton County Recycle Trailers (30 Locations):

* Plastic bottles

* Aluminum cans

* Mixed paper

* Cardboard

These materials are transported to the Landfill and are hand sorted and separated by State inmates. The sorted material is crushed and baled for storage and sale.



Used Oil Drop Off (4 Locations):

* County Shop on Wood Yard Road

* District 5 Road Department in Santa Rosa Beach

* Paxton Fire Department

* Landfill



Used Tires (Accepted for a fee):

* Landfill

* South Walton Mosquito Control



Batteries:

Old batteries can be dropped off at the Landfill. Batteries are collected and sold to either a battery recycler or scrap metal dealer.



If you should have any questions about the Walton County Solid Waste Department, or the County's recycling programs, you may contact the department at 850-892-8180.



1 KPAX Channel 8 - March 7, 2018 - Plastics recycling opportunities becoming more scarce in Western MT

2 Orlando Sentinel - July 11, 2017 - Cities fret over new recycling fee

3 The News & Observer - March 15, 2018 - China doesn't want your recycling anymore. Here's what that means for you.

4 CBC Canada - March 29, 2018 - Canadian municipalities struggling to find place for recyclables after China restricts foreign waste foreign waste


At your service,

Louis E. Svehla
Public Information Manager
Walton Board of County Commissioners
76 North 6th Street
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Phone: 850-892-8155 x1010
Cell: 850-333-6404
 
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