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Board of Commissioners <br />SWDD Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2019 <br />15. SPECIAL DISTRICTS AND BOARDS <br />B. Solid Waste Disposal District <br />15.6.1. 19-0609 Single Stream Recycling Contamination <br />Recommended Action: For informational purposes only at this time <br />Attachments: Staff Report <br />Himanshu Mehta, Managing Director, Solid Waste Disposal District, and Sue <br />Flak, Recycling Education Coordinator, appeared before the Board to present <br />their findings on the extent of single stream recycling contamination in Indian <br />River County. <br />Director Mehta began his report by announcing that Indian River County's <br />recycling rate had reached 66 percent in 2018, making it the second most <br />effective County in the State of Florida with regards to recycling. <br />The presentation continued by recounting that in April 2019, the Solid Waste <br />Disposal District (SWDD) received reports of residents placing garbage in their <br />recycling carts which is a violation of the County code. Details of the <br />Recycling Contamination Action Plan, designed to curb violations and educate <br />residents, were reviewed. <br />Discussion ensued among Commissioners and staff regarding the cost of <br />contaminated recycling, education efforts, problems with returning to open -top <br />bins, and the number of residents who may be using recycling carts in lieu of <br />paying for garbage collection. Commissioner O'Bryan raised the suggestion of <br />moving to universal garbage collection to eliminate contamination problems. <br />Brian Katz from Tropical Recycling appeared before the Board to report that <br />the level of contaminated loads had risen to 35-40 percent. He advised that <br />this level may jeopardize the County's recycling program and advocated for <br />universal garbage collection. <br />Commissioner Zorc received answers from Ashima Wild of Republic Services <br />regarding the lower recycling contamination levels in the City where garbage <br />collection is mandatory. He suggested further discussion of mandatory service <br />and streamlining the county's convenience centers. <br />Commissioner O'Bryan returned to his suggestion of universal garbage <br />collection and requested that staff contact Waste Management for a ballpark <br />cost to provide service for all County residents. <br />No Action Taken or Required <br />Indian River County Florida Page 1 <br />