In 1980 Florida had almost 500 open dumps, 1 small waste-to-energyÊplant, and virtually no local government recycling. By 1991 Florida had approximately 150 permitted landfills, 12 waste-to-energy plants, and one of the largest and most progressive recycling programs in the nation. Progress on such a scale was the result of the passage in 1988 of the Solid Waste Management Act, which among its many provisions required recycling of 30 percent of the solidÊwaste generated in the state by 1995. The act also established new programs for the management of special wastes, and required training of landfill operators and full cost accounting for local government solid waste services.
Florida's recycling rate increased from an estimated 4 percent in 1988 to 15 percent in 1990 and is expected to reach 20 percent by the end of 1991. Florida is expected to reach its goal of 30 percent by 1994. If Florida meets the 30 percent recycling goal and builds all the waste-to-electricity plants permitted or under construction as of 1990, by 1995 one-third of its waste will be recycled, one-third burned for electricity, and one-third placed in landfills.
