Recycling Facility at POC opposed by Commission

Ralf Brookes represented an owner living near the Park of Commerce and objections to having a recycling facility next to the residential neighborhood. All those who spoke out against this facility did a commendable job to deny.

And for a little bit of trivia--

If you recall, Ralf Brookes was the attorney for Laurel Decker who was chair of the Respectful Planning Political Action Committee whose efforts kept the downtown of Lake Worth to 45 feet east of Dixie and 35 feet west to the Loop when the vote was won on March 12, 2013 by 55.86%.

Our referendum was ignored because of the City Attorney Glen Torcivia's opinion that bill, HB 537, a bill that was passed 3 months after our vote,  prohibits initiative or referendum processes for any development order, local comprehensive plan amendment, or map amendment.

 Our argument was that it was NOT an initiative or referendum for any development order
 It was NOT an initiative or referendum for any local comprehensive plan
 It was NOT an initiative or referendum for any map amendment.
IT WAS A CHARTER CHANGE. Do you understand that Pelican Pete?

But I've digressed--
Thursday night the City Commission listened to the people. They listened to the arguments against this facility locating in the POC by other businesses. After 4 hours, the commission, with a complete analysis and reasons to deny by Commissioner Hardy, voted down a recycling plant in our Park of Commerce with the vote at 5/0.

Read about it...

"Project Frank" kept Secret by Lake Worth Administration

Recycling center showdown in Lake Worth Beach: Residents don’t want it, but can they prevent it?

Residents had no idea that the city was entertaining the idea of a recycling company in the Park of Commerce... it goes beyond our city code.

"City commissioners will consider a special permit request for developer Jason Pepitone to build the construction and demolition debris center on one of the last plots of vacant industrial-zoned land in Lake Worth Beach."

Resident Mary Watson said that since tax dollars went into the Park of Commerce, a recycling facility should be put to the voters.

Read about it...

Proposed Recycling Facility in Lake Worth (Beach)

So much Sneaky Stuff in Lake worth (Beach)

It's really unreal the lack of transparency in our little city. It gets worse by the day. The only reason that this came to light is because the residents around this area got notified. They have to by law.

"City commissioners will consider a special permit request for developer Jason Pepitone to build the construction and demolition debris center on one of the last plots of vacant industrial-zoned land in Lake Worth Beach. The commission will not, however, have a recommendation of support from the city’s planning and zoning board."

Read about it...

Recycle Coach App

I downloaded the Recycle Coach app recently launched by the City of Lake Worth (Beach) as mentioned in the PBPost. This was developed to help residents know their collection schedule for recyclables and garbage. I'm thinking, great going! Wrong.

First it did not take the Lake Worth Beach city as a destination. You have to use Lake Worth. Then after programming my address, it was correct on the recyclable schedule but wrong on the garbage pick-up day telling me it is Tuesday. No sooner did I see this, the garbage was picked up today, Monday.

It is supposed to send you scheduling changes, bulk pick-up days, etc.

I'll still keep the app for awhile to see if the kinks are worked out.

Recycling in Lake Worth

Out here in the condos, we still have people who dispose of plastic bags in the recycling bins. Occasionally, I will see egg cartons and even garbage. Having to separate glass/cans/bottles and paper will be challenging to some of these folks.

Lake Worth to get new Recycling bins on October 1

PRESS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT

CITY OF LAKE WORTH, PARKING DIVISION
10 SOUTH OCEAN BOULEVARD
LAKE WORTH, FL 33460
LAKEWORTH.ORG

July 20, 2018

Contact:          Ben Kerr, Public Information Officer
Phone:             561.586.1631
Email:              bkerr@lakeworth.org

WHAT:           CITY OF LAKE WORTH CHANGES TO TWO BIN RECYCLING
WHEN:           OCTOBER 1, 2018
WHO:              ALL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:      

Lake Worth, Florida – Starting Oct. 1, residents and businesses in the City of Lake Worth will have two recycling bins instead of one, as the City restarts its partnership with the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County (SWA).

The new partnership will have a big impact on making recycling in the City of Lake Worth more sustainable. Lake Worth’s single stream recycling partner had raised the cost of recycling by $90 per ton and regular assessments of single stream recycling showed that over a third of loads were contaminated and unable to be cleanly recycled. By re-partnering with the SWA, the City of Lake Worth will see economic savings as well as benefit from the SWA’s Recycling Revenue Share Program.

Recycling efforts through the SWA go back into the local community as a Revenue Share. Since 2010, local municipalities have shared almost $9.3 million in recycling revenue. Lake Worth will now be a part of this program, and benefit from the sale of recyclables.

The SWA has operated a two-bin recycling system since the late 1980s, keeping paper separated from dirty food and drink containers. This ensures that the paper that is recovered is very clean and has a higher value, while wasting as little as possible.

The City of Lake Worth remains committed to environmentally conscious living. An effective recycling program is an important part of that commitment along with our progressive projects such as our Municipal Solar Energy Field, Low Impact LED lighting, and our continued work with the Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center on capturing the energy of the Gulf Stream current. We look forward to partnering with the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County to provide a more efficient and lower cost recycling program to all residents.

Located in central Palm Beach County, Lake Worth is a dynamic, multi-cultural city with an individualistic style.  People are drawn to the city by its acceptance of different cultures and lifestyles, historic districts, hip downtown and colorful arts district.

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Lake Worth to change to dual stream recycling

On tonight's agenda under New Business is the agreement between Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County regarding our garbage and recycling program.

Right now we have a single stream system where paper products, glass, cans, etc. are all dumped into the same bin and then sorted out at the facility. Unfortunately, there are really dumb people and some of them live right in my own community. Right on the bin it says NO PLASTIC BAGS and every single day there are plastic bags in our bins. I don't dumpster dive but I sure do get rid of garbage in our recycling bins. I have found orange peels and God knows what.

The city switched to single stream due to money.but thanks to people who don't or can't read or have any comprehension whatsoever about what to recycle even though it's printed right on the bins, the city now wants to go with duel stream system where items are eparated:  paper products and plastics/glass into two separate bins.  The city does not get reimbursed when people throw garbage into the recycling bins.

From the back-up:
WM is  also  moving  away from  dual  stream  recycling.  WM  does  not  want  to  renew  the  existing  dual  stream  contract with the City that expires 9/30/18 unless the City agrees to pay   WM $85/ton of dual stream recycling
 
The difference from receiving $10/ton to paying $85/ton to WM is not financially feasible. The alternative is to return  to dual  stream  recycling.  SWA  now  provides  a  cost  share  based  on  market  rate.  The  cost  for  new dual  stream  recycle  bins  city-wide  is  $220k,  $147,000 of  which  the  City will  need  pay back to  SWA.  For  that  reimbursement, SWA and the City will have a 50/50 split of the future recycling revenues until the $147,000 is paid in full.  At that point, the City will then collect 100% of the recycling revenues moving forward.

SWA  brought  this  Interlocal  Agreement  before  their board  for  approval  on  4/24/18.  City approval  of  this Agreement  would  allow  SWA  to  place  the  order  for  new  bins  to  be  distributed city-wide  so  that  dual  stream  collection can begin on or before 10/01/18

So, the commission will vote on a duel system. People where I live can't even get a single system right. Hopefully, people will be more cognizant of what can be recycled and what can't when they see different colored bins and the city will be able to make a few bucks.