Pasco Utilities Seeks Participation In Recycling Survey

LAND O’ LAKES, FL – Pasco County is looking for advice on how to improve its recycling program from its residents, whether they actively participate in recycling or not.

Pasco County Utilities launched an online survey this month to ask Pasco County residents about their solid waste and recycling practices. The survey, which should only take a few minute to complete, will be available online through Friday, March 31.

Click here to participate in the online survey.

The goal of the survey is to expand recycling efforts and to help delay the final impact of expanding Pasco County’s Waste-to-Energy Facility, which is near capacity.

“If we do nothing, the facility will require an expansion to begin by 2022,” said Flip Mellinger, the assistant county administrator for utilities. “The cost of that expansion, which includes adding a fourth burner, is projected to be approximately $190 million – not counting inflation – which the (residents) of Pasco County will have to pay through increased fees.”

Mellinger says the longer Pasco County is able to hold off on the WTE expansion, the more time the county will have to secure and grow the funding needed to pay for it. According to Pasco County, one key way to delay the WTE expansion is for more residents to take part in curbside recycling, which all county-licensed haulers provide.

According to the county’s utilities department:

• Pasco County recycles just 1.4 percent of residential trash
• Only 27 percent of eligible Pasco County households use curbside recycling
• By 2030, the goal is to recycle 35 percent of total household and commercial trash

To request a paper copy of the survey, call (813) 235-6186 or send an e-mail to RecycleSurvey2017@PascoCountyFL.net.

For more information on the Pasco County recycling program, visit http://www.pascocountyfl.net/index.aspx?nid=181.

Image courtesy of Pasco County Facebook page