Agenda Item Name:
title
Landfill Diversion Options
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Presenter:
Gus Olmos 352.548.1282
Description:
Update on landfill diversion options; applicable comprehensive plan policies and potential updates to those policies to expand the allowed landfill diversion options.
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Recommended Action:
recommended action
Receive presentation and provide policy direction to staff regarding potential future changes to the Solid Waste Element and related policies of the County’s Comprehensive Plan
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Prior Board Motions:
recommended action
February 8, 2022 - Approved the Request for Proposals Evaluation Criteria for the EcoLoop
August 2022 - Directed staff to bring back for consideration proposals that are not incineration but include energy related technology such as breaking down chemicals for reuse.
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Fiscal Consideration:
fiscal consideration
No fiscal impacts at this time.
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Strategic Guide:
strategic guide
Environment
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Background:
On September 28, 2021, the Board adopted the Zero Waste Strategy Report and Implementation Plan. The report included several strategies designed to achieve the County’s Zero Waste goals. One of the key recommendations of the Report was the establishment of public and private partnerships to facilitate innovative research and to develop new technologies for managing solid waste in Alachua County.
On February 8, 2022, the Board approved the Request for Proposals (RFP) Evaluation Criteria for potential EcoLoop tenants. A Request for Proposals was released on March 12 and the County’s Evaluation Committee recommended awarding the RFP to Florida Express Environmental for the construction and operation of a Construction and Demolition Materials Recovery Facility. The two other proposals received were not recommended because they did not meet the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan, Solid Waste Element, Policy 1.2.5.
Policy 1.2.5 states that: “The use of tires, plastics or plastic derived materials as a fuel source or as feedstock for a waste to energy facility is prohibited in the County solid waste system.”
Staff presented the proposals and rankings to the Environmental Protection Advisory Committee on July 5, 2021, and to the Economic Development Advisory Committee on July 7, 2021. By consensus, both Committees supported the staff’s recommendation and encouraged the Board to re-consider the policies that prevented the other proposals from being recommended.
On August 9. 2022 the Board approved the selection of Florida Express Environmental for the construction of a Construction and Demolition Materials Recovery Facility and directed staff to bring back for consideration proposals that are not incineration but include energy related technology such as breaking down chemicals for reuse.
Staff discussed the available landfill diversion technologies with the Climate Change Advisory Committee (February 20, 2023, and March 20, 2023), Economic Development Advisory Committee (February 23, 2023) and Environmental Protection Advisory Committee (March 7,2023). All three advisory committees passed motions recommending that the Board consider updates to Policy 1.2.5 and other related policies to include other alternative landfill diversion options. Additionally, the Climate Change Advisory Committee recommended that the policy changes be limited to facilities within the EcoLoop.