Randy Rudd, Senior Consultant, Kessler Consulting, Inc., is a native of Clearwater, Florida and a graduate of the University of South Florida with a degree in Political Science / Public Administration. Mr. Rudd has been in the solid waste industry since 1993, with public sector experience in collections, disposal, waste to energy, material recovery facilities and composting operations. Before joining KCI, Randy was the Executive Director of Environmental Management for Charleston County, SC and prior to that was the Deputy Executive Director of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) in Pensacola, FL. Both government agencies have organics recycling programs that Mr. Rudd directed.

Randy has over 30 years of experience as a Department Director for multiple local solid waste operations in Florida and South Carolina. Randy has extensive management and operational project experience composting operations. Composting programs under Randy’s management have won both national and state awards for their accomplishments. Randy has a strong background in local government management, as his previous experience in communities in Florida and South Carolina has given him a unique perspective and understanding of both municipal and county agencies and how they should be operated. Randy is a member of USCC, Recycle Florida Today and the FL Composting Council serving on the Mentorship Committee and is KCI’s representative with Pinellas Partners in Recycling.

Session Code: 5D

Track: Florida

Session Name: Florida

Session Time: Thursday, February 8, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Presentation Title: The State of Organics Recycling in Florida & the Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence (FORCE)

Presentation Description: FDEP regulates, permits, and provides guidance to organics recycling facilities in the State of Florida. There are currently 300 registered/permitted organics processing facilities operating in the state. FDEP is in rulemaking to update the Organics Recycling Rule, Chapter 62‐709, F.A.C. FDEP is considering many updates to the rule with a focus on promoting more organics recycling throughout the state. FDEP will provide a brief update of rule change considerations including clarification of current definitions and sections, addition of new feedstocks and an operations plan requirement for registered facilities.FORCE is the FDEP organics recycling project managed by Kessler Consulting, Inc. Originally a legislatively funded project, it provides a framework to promote organics recycling and research in an effort to streamline compost processing, demonstration, research, marketing, and education across the State of Florida. This resource is a valuable tool to provide education and support for an integrated state organics recovery program by providing a clearinghouse of information to advance organics recovery. Miriam will guide participants on an interactive exploration of key components of the FORCE website (www.floridaforce.org) including About, Education, Events, Resources, and Facilities which have been developed and maintained for the last 20 years. Participants will be able to utilize the information to develop partnerships to establish, expand, promote or revitalize their organization’s organics recovery programs and goals.