Question by Tiffany: What are some of the most impacting environmental issues in FL due to recycling and waste habits?
Im writing a research paper on recycling in FL. One of the sections in my paper regards environmental issues our state is experiencing because of good/bad recycling practices. However I am struggling to find specific info on the web relative to these issues. Any info that may help?

Best answer:

Answer by Bakerman
First, I’d ask myself what makes Florida unique in their approach to waste management. One thing pops to mind – the depth to groundwater. I think Florida generally has groundwater very close to the surface in much of the state. Therefore, any kind of land disposal practices, or recycling activities that could potentially release to the ground can have a dramatic impact on water quality.

Another thing about Florida that comes to mind, is that it has a lot of shoreline, hence many boaters. One little known aspect of this – at least to many people, is that boats of a certain size are required to carry safety flares. Safety flares, by law, have a shelf life, after which the flares must be replaced. Often the flares being replaced are ok to use as flares, but many boaters dispose of them inappropriately. That’s why many many thousands of flares wind up dumped in the water. Florida is one state that has developed on a county-by-county basis a way to manage these out of date flares. They get collected and burned in burn units, which just vent the emissions to the air. This can be an air problem.

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