Orange County Advances Plan for New $75 Million Recycling Facility Set to Open by 2027

Orange County Moves Forward with New Recycling Facility

Orange County is setting its sights on building a new recycling plant next year, a significant development aimed at enhancing the region’s waste management capabilities. This facility is designed to process up to 100,000 tons of recyclable materials each year, including plastics, glass, and paper. The plant will be constructed on land near the Orange County Landfill, situated east of State Road 417 and north of State Road 528.

Who is involved?

The project is a collaboration between Orange County and the city of Orlando, which will contribute recyclables to the new plant. This partnership was formalized last month through a substantial agreement that covers various aspects of local governance, including growth management and homelessness initiatives.

What are the plans for the recycling facility?

As part of the agreement, David Gregory, manager of the solid waste division at Orange County, stated, “The objective is to bring in as many tons as possible and make it a regional Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).” This approach is vital, as neighboring cities have been cutting back on their recycling efforts. For instance, Winter Garden recently voted to end its curbside collection program, and Mount Dora had already discontinued its service in 2021.

When is the facility expected to open?

The new recycling plant is projected to cost around $75 million and should be completed by 2027. Currently, the two governments are in negotiations regarding the facility’s construction, with FCC Environmental Services expected to build the MRF. Under the anticipated agreement, FCC would charge the city and county equal rates, allowing the county to acquire ownership of the facility after 20 years.

Where will the materials come from?

At present, waste management authorities in Orange County and Orlando transport their recyclable materials to a facility in Cocoa. With the introduction of the new recycling plant, they aim to streamline the process, reducing unnecessary transportation and improving efficiency.

Why is this facility necessary?

The need for a new recycling plant arises from the shifting landscape of recycling economics. The cessation of China’s import of U.S. recyclables has caused financial strains on many local programs. Consequently, areas like Winter Garden and Mount Dora are scaling back their curbside recycling services. Despite this trend, Orange County remains optimistic about the future of recycling.

According to Gregory, the county’s existing processing plant has become obsolete and is now functioning solely as a transfer station. Previously, Orange County had been planning the new facility since 2019 to address these concerns and to enhance its solid waste operations.

Data reveals that the current recyclables composition in Orange County includes approximately 42% paper goods, 16.7% plastics, and 14.1% glass. Orlando, on the other hand, collected nearly 14,000 tons of recyclables last year, with residents paying a monthly fee of $22.55 for waste management services.

As local governments navigate the complexities of waste management, the prospect of a new recycling facility stands as a beacon of hope towards establishing a more sustainable and efficient recycling system in the region. Moving forward, Orange County is poised to take larger strides in addressing the challenges associated with waste management and recycling.