Message from Donn Githens, Chair
Across Florida and the broader recycling landscape, one of the most important shifts underway is the move from traditional “collection and diversion” toward a more integrated circular economy—focused on maximizing the highest and best use of every material. For members of the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation, this evolution reinforces a core truth: recycling alone is no longer sufficient without strong upstream design, downstream markets, and cross-sector collaboration. The Foundation’s mission to unite businesses, policymakers, and communities around improved recycling outcomes positions it as a critical convener in this moment. At the same time, Florida’s current performance underscores both progress and urgency: the state’s recycling rate has remained just under 50% in recent reporting, well short of its long-standing 75% goal. Compounding this challenge, rising contamination rates and program costs are straining municipal systems and, in some cases, leading communities to scale back recycling efforts altogether.
Within this context, Goodwill’s model offers a practical example of how reuse, workforce development, and recycling can be integrated to create both environmental and community impact. Locally and across the broader Goodwill network, the focus has expanded beyond resale into advanced material recovery, including responsible recycling partnerships for textiles, plastics, and electronics, as well as emerging collaborations aimed at converting non-sellable goods into viable recycling feedstock. This matters at scale: while roughly 75% of the U.S. waste stream is technically recyclable, actual recycling rates nationally remain closer to one-third, highlighting the gap between potential and performance. In response, Goodwill and its partners are helping to advance textile circularity—an area of increasing urgency as textile waste grows and recycling rates remain extremely low—through pilots that develop new systems for sorting, reuse, and recycling of materials that historically lacked viable end markets.
Looking ahead, the opportunity—and challenge—for Florida lies in scaling these kinds of partnerships. The future of recycling will be shaped not only by infrastructure investment but by policy alignment, and consumer behavior. Localized partnerships—like those convened by the Foundation—remain essential for execution on the ground. The organizations that will lead in this next phase are those that can connect people, materials, and markets in practical ways. For Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation members, that means continuing to move beyond isolated programs toward integrated systems that reduce waste, improve material quality, and deliver measurable economic and environmental outcomes—closing the gap between what is recyclable and what is actually recycled.
Preserving What Matters – July 31 at The Breakers Palm Beach
Join us on Friday, July 31, for Preserving What Matters at The Breakers Palm Beach. Participants will hear directly from The Breakers Sustainability Team about the resort’s innovative conservation and restoration initiatives, including reverse osmosis water systems, herb gardens, beekeeping programs, and oyster shell restoration efforts.
The program will also highlight the resort’s successful waste reduction and diversion programs, including food donation partnerships and its collaboration with the Clean the World Foundation.
Space is limited, so register early! A $100 donation includes program admission and lunch.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how one of Florida’s iconic destinations is making sustainability a priority while preserving natural resources for future generations.
Florida Recycles Day – Save the Date!
Mark your calendar for Florida Recycles Day 2026, taking place on Wednesday, November 18, at the University of Florida TREEO Center in Gainesville.
Hosted by the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation (FRPF) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Recycles Day is the premier annual event bringing together recycling, sustainability, and waste reduction professionals from across the state. Attendees can look forward to a full day of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and discussions on the latest trends, challenges, and innovations shaping Florida’s recycling industry.
Our planning committee is developing an exciting program, and speaker announcements will be coming soon. Whether you are a local government representative, private-sector professional, nonprofit leader, educator, or sustainability advocate, this signature event offers valuable insights and connections to help advance recycling efforts throughout Florida.
Additional details, registration information, and sponsorship opportunities will be announced in the coming months. We look forward to seeing you in Gainesville this November!
Member news …
Coke Florida Recognized as a 2026 US Best Managed Company
Happy 11th Anniversary Coke Florida
Cemex, Port Tampa Bay hold ribbon cutting for terminal grand opening
Cemex celebrated the grand opening of its new Aggregate Terminal at Port Tampa Bay on May 28, marking a significant investment in Florida’s growing infrastructure needs. The event featured remarks from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson, Cemex US President Jesus Gonzalez, and Cemex US Vice President of Aggregates Jeff Bobolts. The $29 million project, supported by a $7 million FDOT grant, strengthens the region’s construction materials supply chain by receiving aggregate shipments of up to 60,000 tons from Canada and unloading them in approximately 20 hours for distribution throughout Central and West Florida. During the celebration, Cemex also presented a donation to the Tampa Bay Maritime Scholarship Foundation before concluding the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community brunch, commemorating an exciting new chapter for both Cemex and Port Tampa Bay.
Upcoming events:
July 31 – Join us at The Breakers Palm Beach for Preserving What Matters, an exclusive sustainability program featuring the renowned Sustainability Team from The Breakers. Attendees will learn about the resort’s innovative environmental initiatives, sustainability practices, and commitment to stewardship and conservation.
Lunch will be provided. Additional details and registration information will be announced soon. Seating is limited.
August 3 – Recycling Champion Award Nominations Open
September 4 – Recycling Champion Award Nominations Close
November 18 – Florida Recycles Day – University of Florida TREEO Center in Gainesville
