Florida’s Gov. Crist vetoes yard waste bill
June 2, 2010 by scasola
Filed under Sustainable Communities, Waste Management, composting
It’s official – Floridians are in favor of recycling. That was the message Tuesday when Florida Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed a House bill that would have repealed a state-wide ban related to yard waste disposal
. According to an article in The Florida Tribune, Crist considered the bill to be a step backwards for the state’s recycling efforts and he did not support a move that would only fill up area landfills more quickly.
The bill in question, HB 569, was originally introduced by Ralph Poppell, chairman of the House Natural Resources Appropriations Committee. Groups like the Sierra Club of Florida spoke out against the HB 569 which would have allowed yard waste to be included in landfills, increasing the need for landfill space.
Individual voices on this matter were also heard. Gary Liss, a California-based Zero Waste advocate, wrote to Gov. Crist noting that overturning the yard waste ban would be bad for the economy as well as the environment. His letter addressed concerns for Florida businesses that would be impacted as well as the fact that the move would not lead to energy independence.
The Campaign for Recycling noted that the bill passed by the Florida legislature contradicts the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to reduce-reuse-recycle. Obviously, Gov. Crist agreed.
What are your thoughts on HB 569 and the governor’s actions to veto it?