Solid Waste Authority of Broward County

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The Solid Waste Disposal and Recyclable Materials Processing Authority of Broward County (“Broward SWA”) is an entity, created through an interlocal agreement signed by Broward County and 28 municipalities (and potentially more in the future), to develop a coordinated, regional solid waste management and recycling master plan (“Master Plan”).
The master plan will address expectations and incorporate strategies from each member jurisdiction to create an innovative, environmentally sustainable, and economically efficient regional solid waste management system that meets or exceeds the State of Florida’s 75 percent recycling goal.

In addition to developing a Solid Waste Management and Recycling Master Plan for Broward County, their top priorities are: public outreach, research and development, recycling, and supporting regional solutions.

For more information on the Solid Waste Authority, visit https://browardswa.org/solid-waste-authority/.

Click here to read the Master Plan .

Financial Framework

The proposed financial plan calls for a surcharge on both residential and commercial waste. The estimated surcharge would be determined on a per ton basis. If approved, the surcharge would be applicable to waste managed by the Authority. This approach was shared to show how the Authority could establish a fair and sustainable funding source that supports the implementation of the Master Plan.

Purpose of the Funding

If approved, the surcharge would be applicable to waste managed by the Authority to fund the following:

Expanding education and outreach programs countywide to help residents and businesses waste less and recycle more
Setting up eight new recycling drop-off locations to improve convenient access to recycling
Administrative services led by the Authority
Building a capital reserve for future programs and facilities

The state has set a 75% recycling goal for all counties in Florida. Currently, Broward County is recycling approximately 32% of its waste, down from an estimated 39% in 2023. The surcharge funding will be used to help reverse that trend and move the County closer to the state goal through increased education, access, and participation.

History of the 'Authority'

Summer 2023: Broward County and 28 municipalities executed an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) to form the Authority, following work by a Solid Waste Working Group and earlier studies dating back years
October 11, 2023: The first Governing Board meeting was held, during which the Executive Committee members were appointed, marking the Authority’s formal launch
Below are some Frequently Asked Questions by the Community during this time period.
“Is there any truth to the rumors that an incinerator is going to be built at the County-owned landfill near US 27 and Sheridan Street”? No decision has been made to build any type of facility let alone where a facility would be built.
“What IS happening with Solid Waste”? The newly created Solid Waste Disposal and Recyclable Materials Processing Authority was approved by 28 municipalities and Broward County.
Each participating municipality appointed an elected official to serve on the Governing Board of the Authority. (The Weston City Commission recently appointed Commissioner Henry Mead as our Member and Mayor Peggy Brown as our Alternate).
NO facilities have been proposed for any location in Broward County, though it is true that Broward County owns property at US 27 and Sheridan, which is currently being used as a landfill.
The Authority is responsible for creating a Master Plan for the handling of solid waste and recyclable materials in Broward County for the next 40+ years. One of the early responsibilities of the Authority is to hire a consultant to prepare the Master Plan, a process that is expected to take at least a year.
An Executive Director for the Solid Waste Authority was hired on March 8, 2024.

Executive Director of SWA

Executive Director(s) of the Solid Waste Authority

Head shot of man with white hair in a blue suit and tie Sam May, a new Interim Executive Director was appointed on March 9, 2026. Sam May is a seasoned municipal executive with more than thirty-five years of leadership experience in public works, utilities, engineering, and city management. Since 2019, he served as the Public Works/Utilities Director for the City of North Lauderdale as well as the District Administrator of the North Lauderdale Water Control District. Sam began his government career in 1988 with the City of Margate’s Engineering Department. After 15 years he transitioned to the Public Works Department where he worked for another 14 years in progressively responsible roles before retiring from Margate following two and a half years as City Manager. As City Manager, he provided executive oversight of all municipal departments, collaborating closely with elected officials and community stakeholders to advance strategic planning initiatives and strengthen organizational performance.

He is a Past-President of both the South Florida Branch of the American Public Works Association (APWA) and the Florida Chapter of the APWA. Sam has served on various committees at the Branch, State, and National Levels of APWA. In 2018, he was honored nationally as a Top Ten Leader by the APWA in recognition of his professional leadership and contributions to the field.

In a meeting held on Friday, March 8, 2024, the Executive Committee of the Solid Waste Authority of Broward County chose an Executive Director to put together a plan for disposal, recycling and reuse of Broward County's 4 million tons of solid waste that is generated every year. Mr. Todd Storti, originally from Massachusetts, has worked in different components of the solid waste industry in California for 32 years. The Executive Committee identified that he has a strong background in financial and operational oversight. His additional strengths for this position are recycling recovered materials and finding markets for their reuse; innovation; and initiating educational campaigns for the public to help develop the recycling effort.

The Executive Committee had previously hired GovHR, an executive search firm, to provide a list of qualified candidates. There were thirty applicants, of which nine had the qualifications for which we felt we needed for the position of Executive Director. In a February meeting, the Executive Committee decided on four of the nine candidates that had the background, experience, and knowledge to fill the position. Those four were brought in for a face-to-face meeting with the Executive Committee and, after interviews, Mr. Storti was the unanimous choice.

Mr. Storti will work with the SWA Board to develop a master plan that will include not only disposal but recycling, reuse, reclaiming, education, new developments in technology, siting, and all aspects of refuse disposal for the removal of the county's solid waste. The SWA will work closely with Mr. Storti in the development of an operational plan to cover Broward's needs into the extended future.

Meetings on the Master Plan

Mater Plan

There were a series of public meetings geared to various groups and the public in June 2025.

The information about these meetings can be found at Public Outreach Meetings | Broward SWA – Stay Informed

The Master Plan is ready for residents to view. It still has to be voted on later in 2025 or early 2026.

Shaping Broward’s Future: A Master Plan for Waste and Recycling
Broward Solid Waste Authority

Sustainability and Conservation

City of Weston, FL

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