Oakland to readdress recycling program

The Oakland Town Commission discussed possible changes to its recycling program at its meeting Tuesday, March 10. The town received a letter last month from Advanced Disposal Services, of Orlando, which collects the items recycled by residents.

Regina M. Caronia, ADS general manager, asked for an amendment to the solid waste collection franchise agreement, citing a change in processing fees and a decline in the amount of recycling China now accepts.

ADS is requesting to amend the contract to exclude glass from the curbside recycling program minimize weight, thereby keeping disposal rates down. When the contract was signed, there was no disposal fee. Now, Caronia said, there is a fee of $50 per ton.

Three years ago, ADS picked up two tons of recycling each week in Oakland — an average of three pounds her household. Now, they collect three tons each week — nearly six pounds per home.

Another alternative would be to raise solid waste collection rates.

The commission asked for time to conduct further research on the issue.

The town has two years left of the seven-year agreement with ADS.

ORDINANCES PASSED

The commission passed the second reading and public hearing of two ordinances.

The first establishes regulations pertaining to fertilizer use, and the town will adopt the standards contained in the Orange County Code. This best-management practice will further protect Lake Apopka and John’s Lake from nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen.

The second is an update to an ordinance, first passed in 2017, that outlined the illicit discharge and stormwater regulations surrounding construction materials and construction trash and debris.