The Florida Department of Environmental Protection tracks the recycling rate two ways:

The total recycling rate combines traditional recycling with renewable energy credits (based on the amount of renewable energy produced using solid waste as fuel). Such a facility exists in Pensacola at the Perdido Landfill and Gulf Power uses the electricity generated there.

The traditional recycling rate does not include renewable energy credits.

How did the Pensacola area fare?

Escambia County: Ranked 19th among large counties with a traditional recycling rate of 30 percent, with 5 more percentage points in renewable energy credits. The county collected 1.61 tons of municipal sold waste per capita in 2013.

Santa Rosa County: Ranked 30th among large counties with a traditional recycling rate of about 18 percent. Santa Rosa had no renewable energy credits. The county collected 1.95 tons of municipal solid waste per capita in 2013.

Last year the state’s official recycling rate was 49 percent, up 1 percent from 2012. In 2008 the Florida Legislature set a goal of 75 percent recycling rate statewide by 2020.

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