Sarasota Residents Renew Efforts for Modifications to U.S. Recycling Facility

• Residents of Sarasota’s Central Cocoanut neighborhood have long complained about dust and noise from the U.S. Recycling plant.
• Despite government actions, including repaving a road and issuing fines, residents say the problems persist.
• A neighborhood coalition has installed its own air quality sensors, reporting spikes in particulate matter from the plant.
• County inspections have documented numerous code violations at the site over the past five years, but with limited enforcement.

This article has been updated to clarify that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued a permit to US Recycling, which is monitored and enforced by Sarasota County.

In Central Cocoanut, just north of downtown Sarasota, residents complain about the U.S. Recycling plant’s dust and noise. This prompts attention from officials and media, resulting in meetings and promises made that eventually fade away. The cycle repeats, with residents left disappointed and the industrial site unchanged.

U.S. Recycling faced scrutiny in a series of investigations by the Herald-Tribune in 2021 and 2022, where residents voiced their frustrations but were skeptical about potential solutions.

In 2022, after public outcry, Sarasota agreed to repave 14th Street and Industrial Court leading to the plant, costing taxpayers $410,106, with U.S. Recycling contributing nothing. Yet, complaints persist, as dust continues to coat vehicles and property, causing health concerns.

In 2021, Sarasota forced U.S. Recycling to pay thousands in fines for code violations, yet the site has faced repeated inspections revealing ongoing issues, including code violations that remain largely unenforced.

Frustration is growing among Central Cocoanut residents, with notable figures like Laurel Quarberg expressing that past efforts have been ineffective. “The problem is that it never really solved the problem,” she stated.

Christopher Williams, the owner of U.S. Recycling, has been criticized for lacking communication with residents.

Tracking ‘fugitive dust’

Quarberg asserts the U.S. Recycling facility is unsuitable for a residential area, especially given its proximity to homes and businesses. Recently, the Sarasota Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations (CCNA) has drawn attention to the issue.

CCNA has installed air quality sensors near U.S. Recycling to monitor dust emissions, with results indicating troubling spikes in air quality levels. The Air Quality Committee reports these findings in real-time, calling attention to ongoing concerns.

Residents are particularly worried about “fugitive dust,” which the EPA describes as particulate matter that escapes directly into the atmosphere. Chronic exposure to such dust can lead to respiratory issues.

Sarasota County responsible for air quality regulation

Recent advocacy has prompted Sarasota County officials to respond to the residents’ plight. The county has the authority to administer its air pollution control program as delegated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, thanks to ongoing pressure from community advocacy.

Yet, many residents feel their issues remain inadequately addressed. Past hopes, like proposed developments to replace U.S. Recycling, have not materialized.

A long history of complaints

U.S. Recycling has a comprehensive history of complaints, faced numerous inspections, and received many notices of noncompliance. Despite this, it has only paid one fine in its operational history.

Recent reports illustrate that while county inspections reveal minimal issues, the reality experienced by residents reflects a different narrative of dust and discomfort caused by the facility’s operations.

Community actions like sensor installations underscore the inadequacies of existing regulatory frameworks, prompting residents to assume responsibility for monitoring air quality on their own.

The CCNA’s initiative aims to bring attention to the air quality problems while emphasizing the disproportionate impact on lower-income communities. Some residents express a sentiment that the conditions imposed by U.S. Recycling wouldn’t be tolerated in more affluent areas.

In summation, concerns about U.S. Recycling’s operations and their repercussions on health and quality of life are prompting renewed calls for substantive reforms and accountability from both the local government and the facility itself.

Christian Casale covers local government for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Email him at ccasale@gannett.com or christiancasale@protonmail.com