4/10/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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APR 10 1985 BOOK LO PP,F..533: litter reduction and community improvement through volunteering and cooper-- tive action at the local level to improve the ways solid waste is handled. KBB's major program is the behavior based Keep America Beautiful system which depends upon marshalling widespread community support and on private initiatives for sustained reductions in litter while at the same time fostering civic pride. Our organization has been working on a variety of community projects. Among them is the development of ordinances and laws that favorably contribute to litter reductions and more beautiful Brevard County. .In spite of good efforts by KBB and other environmentally concerned groups, litter and trash still scars the highways and beaches of our County. A major portion of this litter is discarded soda and beer cans and bottles that line Florida's roadsides, beaches, parks and fields and overflows its landfills. They are the most visible, most dangerous and non -degradable portion of litter and cost cities, counties and the state millions of dollars to clean up each year. In Florida, the Department of Transportation alone spends more than $2.5 million annually on litter pick-up. The department estimates that at least 20 percent of roadside litter can be attributed to beer and soft drink containers. Effectively addressing the problem of discarded beverage containers alone could save Florida taxpayers a minimum of $500,000 per year in litter pick-up costs. Substantially more savings could be realized by county and city governments by controlling bottle and can litter. Over the past few years, nine states have enacted bottle laws beginning with Oregon in 1972. Today, there is documented proof in those states where the law is operating it is popular and there has been a substantial reduction of litter and trash. The State of Florida is now particularly in need of this type of legislation. The time has come for tourist dependent Florida to preserve its natural attractiveness to visitors and residents by approving a law aimed at clearing our state of soft drink and beer cans and bottle trash. State Senator Jeanne Maichon has introduced Senate Bill 92 for consideration during the 1985 Florida Legislature, which if passed, would significantly eradicate this unsightly and dangerous blight from our environment. I have enclosed a proposed county resolution for your consideration supporting this i egislation. I encourage Indian River County Commission to carefully consider and adopt a Bottle Bill resolution. Florida consumers lose when they pay higher costs associated with throw -away containers and we all lose when enormous amounts of energy are squandered on non -recyclable containers. A deposit law will make the bargain more widely available to cost conscious purchasers, while benefiting everyone by savings in energy, landfill resources clean-up costs and ridding,our state of a sizable amount of litter and trash. Sincerely, James M. Kraft Chairman, Government Relations Committee Keep Brevard Beautiful (South), Inc. Commissioner Bird did not feel there was near enough information to support -legislation of this type because of the many pros and cons that need to be further examined. He recommended that the Board not take any action today. Commissioner Scurlock felt we should address it sooner or later and Commissioner Bowman indicated her support of such legislation. 107 •