Florida C&D Anti-Franchise Bill Dies in Legislature

Wendy Angel

Tallahassee, Fla. -- A Florida senate bill that would have precluded local governments from entering into exclusive contracts for C&D collection has died in the state legislature. A companion bill in the state House was altered to remove all references to C&D debris and to address only the recycling of political signs.

Competitors of Houston-based Waste Management and Ft. Lauderdale-based Republic Services, the two biggest trash collectors in the state, say that Senate Bill 1906 would have benefited consumers and businesses that currently do not have a choice in how to dispose of C&D material. However, many cities and major haulers successfully argued that the material is simply another type of solid waste and is covered under franchise agreements. The Florida League of Cities also said that local governments could have lost revenue from disposal and landfill tipping fees if the bill has passed.

Another issue at hand is whether C&D material is considered recyclable by state law. If it were included in state Statute 403, which covers recycling, cities would not be able to include C&D in franchise agreements with waste haulers.

Meanwhile, some companies that would have benefited from the defeated bill are vowing to continue the fight. In Delray Beach, Southern Waste Systems has filed a lawsuit that purports it is being shut out of the C&D market.