Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Steve Geller
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance regarding battery recycling, including requiring qualifying retail establishments in Broward County to make onsite battery collection available to the public; and to direct County Administration to identify the appropriate logistical resources necessary to implement such required recycling, including transportation from collection sites to appropriate recycling facilities. (Commissioner Geller)
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Why Action is Necessary
Board direction is required for the Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending the Broward County Code of Ordinances and to provide the referenced direction to County Administration.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides the required direction to the Office of the County Attorney and County Administration.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Due to the prevalence of battery-powered electronics, batteries are often disposed of in the trash and processed with other municipal solid wastes. However, some batteries, including those found in common consumer electronics, can threaten the safe and environmentally sound disposal of municipal solid wastes. For example, lithium batteries, which include button batteries, can combust and cause damage to solid waste disposal facilities and hauler vehicles. As an added complication, many consumers may have difficulty distinguishing between lithium batteries and alkaline batteries.
Many batteries contain materials that should be diverted from landfills. Broward County, through its Solid Waste and Recycling Services, provides three residential drop-off centers where residents of the unincorporated areas and participating municipalities may drop off batteries for recycling. Several retailers within Broward County also voluntarily participate in battery recycling programs, such as www.call2recycle.org. Increasing the number of drop-off sites for battery recycling will help remove more batteries from the waste stream, thus reducing the adverse impacts of comingling batteries with municipal solid wastes.
If approved, this motion will direct the Office of the County Attorney to prepare an Ordinance for consideration by the Board to require certain local retail establishments to provide on-premises drop-off sites for battery recycling by consumers, and direct County Administration to identify the logistical resources needed to facilitate such efforts, including transporting collected batteries to appropriate recycling facilities.
This item supports the Board Goal of “ensuring accessible, seamlessly integrated investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices, manufacturing, resilient infrastructure, and environmental protection” by facilitating the recycling of consumer batteries in Broward County, which would otherwise pose a risk to solid waste disposal, contain valuable materials that may be reused, and that can be diverted from landfills.
Source of Additional Information
Jacqueline Garcia-Arteaga, District 5 Chief of Staff, 954-357-7005
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary