Florida county calls for increased recycling rates to avoid $190 million waste-to-energy expansion

Pasco County, Florida, officials are calling for an increase of residential recycling to gain funds for an additional boiler at its waste-to-energy facility in Spring Hill, a report by ABC Action News says.

The facility processes 1,050 tons of waste per day and needs an additional boiler to keep up with the tonnage, the report says. The addition would cost $190 million, which would add $30 to residents’ yearly waste bill.

According to the report, Pasco County recycles less than 2 percent of its municipal waste. Less than 30 percent of county residents use the curbside recycling service despite the recycling service fee being included in their bill. The county uses a single stream system that collects cans, bottles, small plastic items, paper and cardboard in the same container.

There is no regulation on which container a resident uses, the report says. He or she just needs to place a sticker on the container.

Pasco County is currently conducting a residential survey about its recycling program to make improvements and increase participation.