Despite unanimous passage in the House (116–0) and Senate (38–0), DeSantis rejected the bill on June 27, citing concerns over bureaucratic inefficiency and the private sector’s ongoing innovation.
In a letter to Secretary of State Cord Byrd, DeSantis stated:
“This legislation is unnecessary as it perpetuates a cycle of plans and reports without action and does not take into consideration that the private sector is continuously implementing innovative ways to reduce waste."
The bill, sponsored by Democratic Reps. Joe Casello and Dianne Hart, directed DEP to convene a technical assistance group and craft a three-year implementation strategy addressing:
Upon completion, DEP would have submitted the plan and recommended statutory changes to the legislature.
Supporters argued that the bill would reboot Florida’s stalled progress toward its recycling goal by offering structured support to municipalities and creating statewide consistency. While many local governments and environmental groups applauded the measure, the governor’s veto halts these efforts.
The veto aligns with a broader pattern from the DeSantis administration: prioritizing deregulation and market-driven solutions over state-mandated planning. It echoes earlier rejections of environmental legislation that would expand state authority or require long-term policy development without direct funding or implementation mechanisms.
Industry watchers note that Florida’s recycling rate has dropped steadily since peaking at 55% in 2016, falling to just 48% in 2023, according to DEP figures. While the private sector continues to innovate in waste processing, critics argue that without cohesive statewide coordination, gaps in infrastructure and education may persist.
DeSantis’ veto signals limited appetite at the state level for top-down recycling mandates, even as federal momentum builds around circular economy strategies and extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws in other states. For businesses operating in Florida, the move reinforces the need for self-driven waste reduction strategies—and potentially opens the door for industry-led coalitions to fill the policy void.
In the absence of a state-coordinated plan, private-sector players, local governments, and nonprofit organizations will likely bear the burden of advancing sustainable materials management practices across the state.
