Commercial and Institutional Recycling

Florida has a goal to reach a 75 percent recycling rate in just a few short years by 2020. Your business, institution or organization can be part of that race to 75 percent by making recycling "business as usual." Here are some resources to help you and ways you can be recognized for your success. The Recycling Recognition program is for any business, institution or organization. There are also additional recognition programs for certain kinds of businesses such as hotels, marinas and hospitals.

County Recycling Coordinators

Your county recycling coordinator is a good resource when starting or expanding a recycling program at a business, institution or organization. They know local conditions, have recycling expertise and can be a key part of your recycling program.

Recycling Recognition

Get recognized by DEP if your business or organization recycling efforts have taken your 2016 recycling rate to 60 percent or more (or at least 50 percent in 2015). All you need is the total tons of solid waste you recycled and total tons of solid waste you disposed for the year and about 20 minutes to log that in. We can help you estimate recycled and disposed tons if you do not have exact weights.

Food Waste Reduction and Recycling

Between 25 and 40 percent of food produced in the United States is not eaten. While the largest amount of food is wasted because it is not eaten “at the fork,” there are opportunities to reduce food losses during processing, packaging, storage, transportation and distribution. Florida’s retail and wholesale grocers, restaurants, bars, and event venues (theme parks and stadiums) are positioned to reduce and recycle food wastes, improve their bottom line and improve their sustainability profile.

The Food Waste Reduction Alliance (FRWA) has developed the Best Practices and Emerging Solutions tool kit including practical techniques and real world examples to reduce and recycle food waste. Techniques include donation, animal food, energy recovery and composting. Real world examples from companies like Aramark, Darden Restaurants, General Mills, McDonalds and Walmart are provided.

FRWA is a 2011 initiative of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (representing food and beverage companies), the Food Marketing Institute (representing food retailers), and the National Restaurant Association (representing the foodservice industry) that has already engaged more than 30 leading companies and stakeholder partners.

• Food Waste Reduction Alliance Best Practices and Emerging Solutions Tool Kit

Hotel/Motel Recycling

• Florida Green Lodging Certification
• SWIX Report 2000

K-12 Schools

Join schools across Florida that are making a difference by reducing waste and implementing programs to recycle.

Our Recycling Education Page will help you develop a program for your school.

The Florida Green School Network recognizes and supports green school initiatives at the school and school district level.

College and University Recycling

• Florida Atlantic University's Materials Recovery Program, an Innovative Grant Program
• University of Oregon's website about recycling efforts. It provides an in-depth guide to setting up a recycling program, from writing a proposal to collection practices and guidelines.
• National Wildlife Federation campus ecology site
• College and University Recycling Coalition is a group of recycling coordinators at campuses across the country.
• A Guide to Sustainability in College and In Life includes facts about the benefits of going green, tips on how to become and continue being green, and additional resources for students interested in living a sustainable life.
• Green Degrees Resources is an updated guide addressing the market demand for professionals skilled in environmental fields, in particular, science, engineering and business disciplines.
• Resource Guide for Environmental Science Degrees delves into the continued growth in environmental awareness and ecosystem preservation.
• LetsGoSolar.com has created a new Going Green on Campus Guide that makes going green on campus fun.

Clean Marinas and Boatyards

• Clean Marina
• Clean Boatyard

Hospital Recycling

• The Healthier Hospitals Initiative is a free national campaign aimed at the health care sector. The program provides guides regarding energy use, waste reduction, and healthier food and product purchasing.
• Hospitals for a Healthy Environment is a national practice green health initiative between the American Hospital Association and the EPA, with a goal of mercury reduction.
• Healthcare Without Harm aims to eliminate pollution in health-care practices.
• Sustainable Hospitals is a project from the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production

Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC)

The RBAC assists in the development of markets for recyclable materials as well assist recycling businesses at all levels of the supply chain. For more information, please contact Henry Garrigo at 850-245-8822