One important source of waste is the third most populous state in the U.S. — Florida, producing tons of waste because of its huge population, a thriving tourism industry, and a growing economy.

Landfills are a critical part of the state’s waste management system, accepting millions of tons of waste each year. Florida has its own challenges when it comes to its landfills, given its geography, its climate and its rapid development.

Landfills in Florida

Florida has roughly 40 active landfills, including municipal solid waste (MSW), construction and demolition (C&D) debris, and industrial landfills. The state also has hundreds of closed or inactive landfills that require monitoring and maintenance for years to come. There are three principal types of landfills in Florida:

• Amount of Municipal Solid Waste Landfills: These facilities collect all household and commercial solid waste and make up most of the state’s waste stream
• Construction and Demolition Debris Landfills: As Florida continues to rapidly urbanize, these facilities handle waste from construction and demolition projects
• Special Waste Landfills: Serve to industrial waste, biosolids and other nonhazardous materials

A whole market exists for organizing high-density construction destruction into company landfills using liners, leachate collection systems, and gas capture to meet federal and state laws. Even with these helps, the nature of Florida’s environment — its high water table and risk to hurricanes — creates considerable pressure on her local landfills.

Trends in Waste Generation and Disposal

Florida produces more than 30 million tons of solid waste a year, most of which originates in urban centers such as Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach and Tampa. The state’s tourism industry also plays a significant part in its waste stream, particularly during busy seasons.

About 40 percent of Florida’s waste is recycled or composted, in line with national averages. But the vast majority of leftover waste is either hauled off to landfills or processed in waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities. There are numerous WTE technologies in Florida, such as facilities that transform waste into energy. Despite this, landfills remain the leading destination for non-recycled waste as well as ash from WTE plants.

Environmental Challenges

The geography and climate of Florida present specific landfill challenges:

• High Water Table: Florida’s flat terrain and porous limestone bedrock means the water table is often near the top. This raises the risk of leachate leaking, which would endanger groundwater, a crucial resource that millions of residents rely upon
• Hurricanes and Storms: The state of Florida is subject to regular challenges from hurricanes and tropical storms, which can greatly impact landfill stability. Strong winds and inundation can erode surfaces and disrupt leachate containment systems, enabling the uncontrolled release of waste
• Methane Emissions: As with any other landfill, Florida’s facilities create methane when organic waste decomposes. Although many of the state’s landfills have gas capture systems to limit emissions, fugitive methane still adds to climate change
• Wildlife interactions: Florida’s various ecosystems host many animal species, including endangered ones. Dumpsites that are not well managed can lure wildlife away from their natural habitat, creating problems between animals and humans

Regulatory Oversight

State and federal regulations govern landfill operation, which are overseen by the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Key requirements include:

• How Design and Maintenance Standards: Landfills must include liners, leachate collection systems, and monitoring wells to prevent groundwater from getting polluted
• Waste Diversion Goals Florida’s Solid Waste Management Act establishes ambitious recycling and waste diversion goals, including a target 75% recycling rate statewide
• PostClosure Care: Once a landfill is closed, it must be monitored for decades to ensure it does not harm the environment

Even with these regulations in place, enforcement is inconsistent across regions, with some landfills being criticized for lax or nonexistent compliance with regulations.

Economic and Social Impacts

Landfills are a key part of Florida’s economy, offering jobs in trash collection, transport and engineering. In addition, landfill gas-to-energy projects help the state’s renewable energy portfolio.

But waste landfills are frequently opposed by neighbors. Concerns include:

• Odor and Noise Pollution: Landfills can cause unpleasant odors and noise from trucks and machinery, sometimes impacting residents’ quality of life
• Health Concerns: While research about the health impacts of living near landfills is not definitive, residents often report concerns about air and water quality
• Environmental Justice Issues: Landfills tend to be disproportionately found in low-income or minority communities, raising issues of equitable treatment

Closed and Legacy Landfills

Florida has hundreds of capped landfills, many predating contemporary environmental standards. Many of these sites still need remediation to prevent problems with leachate leakage and methane emissions. Some of these closed landfills have been converted to parks, recreational areas or solar farms, but many remain a liability because of monitoring and remediation costs.

Future Challenges and Opportunities

Some of the challenges to Florida’s landfill system as the state grows include:

Science and Tech Integration: Waste sorting, anaerobic digestion, and landfill gas collection are some technologies that can be used to enhance organizational efficiency and sustainability.

Folks out there also have a chance to be leading in circular economy practices in Florida, driving businesses and residents of the state to minimize the waste they create and adopt sustainable practices.

Landfills are still a key part of Florida’s waste management system, accommodating millions of tons of waste each year. But the state’s special environmental conditions and a booming population warrant a more sustainable approach. With a strengthened focus on recycling, investment in innovative technologies and addressing environmental and social issues, Florida can reconcile its waste management priorities with its obligation to safeguard its natural environment and public health.