Fla. governor vetoes yard waste, trimmings ban repeal

June 3 -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has vetoed HB 569, a piece of legislation that would have lifted Florida´s decades-long ban on landfilling yard waste and trimmings.

The legislation aimed at diverting the organic wastes to landfills where methane gas is captured.

Crist wrote in his veto letter to the state legislature Tuesday explaining why he was vetoing the bill, which he said contradicted Florida´s 75% recycling goals set by the legislature.

"Although the bill requires landfills to capture and make beneficial use of methane gas to qualify to accept yard trash, it directs materials to landfills that would otherwise be recycled," the governor wrote. "Florida is a leader in recycling. I am concerned that this bill will be a step backward in our efforts."

The U.S. Composting Council, which noted yard waste bans are in place in 23 states, applauded the veto. Several yard waste bans have been challenged in recent years, according to the council. The council organized a coalition of 17 groups including the Grassroots Recycling Network, the Teamsters, Green Florida and recycling and composting groups to lobby support for a veto after the bill was passed by the legislature.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at 330-865-6166 or asmith-teutsch@crain.com