Sustainability and Natural Resources

We are working toward responsible management and conservation of our natural resources to ensure that we maintain a clean and healthy environment to live, work and raise a family while allowing people and wildlife to thrive.

Involvement Opportunities

Progress on our goals & strategies

Goal 5: Clean Water For All

Natural Resources Progress Table, Goal 5
	Strategy	Time Frame	Strategy Progress Information for 2019	Progress
1.	Establish a stormwater utility fee or funding mechanism	Medium	No change in this reporting period. Discussions are planned to readdress this stormwater utility fee or another possible water quality funding solution.	25% complete
2.	Encourage and support low impact development (LID) for new development, and retrofit older stormwater systems with LID	Medium	A manual with LID techniques is available as well as sample code written for Horizon West.	75% complete
3.	Promote water conservation in the built environment and develop a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ ordinance	Medium	Currently reviewing all ordinances that could impact the development of an FFL ordinance. On-going effort.	50% complete

Goal 6: Zero Waste

Natural Resources Progress Table, Goal 6
	Strategy	Time Frame	Strategy Progress Information for 2019	Progress
1.	Improve commercial recycling rates	Medium	Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has joined with other Orange County divisions to discuss consistent recycling messaging within OC operations. No new progress on commercial recycling.	50% complete
2.	Develop a Construction & Demolition debris diversion ordinance	Medium	The initial goal was to increase C&D debris diversion (recycling) from 32% to 40%. C&D Debris recycling rate for Orange County was 59% in 2018, up from 45% in 2017. Need economic development strategy to enhance local end markets. No local ordinance is being developed at this time.	50% complete
3.	Increase collection system efficiency	Short	The residential collection program continues to work on improved efficiency. On-going effort.	100% complete

Goal 7: Clean Air For All

Natural Resources Progress Table, Goal 7
	Strategy	Time Frame	Strategy Progress Information for 2019	Progress
1.	Support alternative fuel vehicles, with an emphasis on fleets	Medium	Orange County Fleet is getting an EV Chevy Bolt Cargo and a Level 2, two-port charging station. Opportunities for Hybrid, PHEV, and EVs are being reviewed. Challenges remain due to heavy duty vehicles required and infrastructure for charging. Local diesel biofuel blends are limited. Renewable diesel is still not available. Software application testing is planned for vehicles that lowers idle RPM and acceleration controls to increase fuel economy.	50% complete
2.	Promote urban forestry and expand tree canopy	Long	An Adopt-A-Tree program offers residents two shade trees for their yard, six times per year. Tree installations continue through the OC Streetscape and Median Tree Planting Programs. A tree planting toolkit is being created for civic groups seeking an environmental enhancement project within their communities. New GIS projects to assess land-cover analysis for tree canopy and wetlands are being planned.	50% complete
3.	Develop anti-idling programs and reduce gas lawnmower use	Medium	No new efforts for an anti-idling campaign have taken place due to lack of resources in OCPS. EPD has resources available to help re-launch a campaign to protect young lungs and reduce vehicle idling at student pick-up and drop-off locations.	25% complete

Goal 8: Green And Open Spaces Are Preserved And Valued

Natural Resources Progress Table, Goal 5
	Strategy	Time Frame	Strategy Progress Information for 2019	Progress
1.	Dedicated funding to buy and maintain targeted environmentally sensitive lands	Long	A proposal for funding to purchase future environmentally sensitive lands is being developed and will be presented to the BCC.	25% complete
2.	Provide incentives to preserve and maintain conservation lands, including safe, healthy farmlands	Long	The BCC approved two donation agreements that will preserve an additional 184.58 acres of environmentally sensitive lands in the Green PLACE program.	50% complete
3.	Strengthen regional trail, bike trail, waterway, and park systems to promote healthy lifestyles and ecotourism	Long	Improvements at the East Orange District Park and Barber Park were completed. Design was completed on the Moss Park Parcel J Community Park and is moving forward on Magnolia Park. Planning on two new Neighborhood Parks in Horizons West is continuing.	75% complete

Goal 9: Our Products And Services Are Green, Safe, And Healthy

Natural Resources Progress Table, Goal 5
	Strategy	Time Frame	Strategy Progress Information for 2019	Progress
1.	Develop and participate in consortium committed to green local procurement	Medium	No progress to report.	25% complete
2.	Encourage green certifications for government and businesses	Short	Orange County is currently certified as a Green Local Government, renewal is due in 2021. Additionally, Environmental Protection Division (EPD) staff is developing a Pollution Prevention (P2) Recognition Program for businesses to earn P2 Recognition Certificates from Orange County.	75% complete
3.	Support and incubate locally made and grown products and businesses	Long	An Urban Ag in Orange County white paper from UF/IFAS documents opportunities for expanding Ag products and businesses in Orange County.	75% complete

Our Target Measurements

This table describes how Orange County measures progress on our Sustainability goals.
Natural Resource Indicators	Baseline	Last Reported	Current	Assessment	Target 2020
Potable Water Consumption (million gallons per day)	2010 201.84	2015 198.96	2017 169.04	Good Progress	10% reduction
Achieve good water quality in water bodies (Trophic Status Index Threshold=55)	2010 84%	2017 93%	2018 91%	Good Progress	85%
Recycling Rate	2010 32%	2016 72%	2017 36%	Needs Improvement	75%
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) (tons/capita/year)	2010 1.31	2016 0.68	2017 1.75	Needs Improvement	Zero Waste by 2040
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) (metric tons CO2 equivalent)	2005 18,694,256	2015 18,284,716	2016 Data not available until 2019	No Progress	Neutral by 2040
Attainment status for criteria pollutants (based on NAAQS)	2010 In attainment	2017 In attainment	2018* In attainment as of 10/31/18	Good Progress	Maintain Attainment
Percentage of population within one mile of public open space	2016 71.6% (county park)	2017 No new data available	2018 No new data available	Needs Improvement	90% by 2040
Acres of preserved environmentally sensitive lands	2010 22,000	2017 22,708	2018 22,708	No Progress	40,000

Want to get involved?

The protection and conservation of our natural resources is crucial in maintaining our economy and quality of life. Resources such as potable water, natural lands and clean air are not unlimited. Maintaining these resources can be extremely costly if conscious efforts are not continued. Learn your role in making Orange County healthy, prosperous and a sustainable place to live.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™

Landscaping around your home and neighborhood can help conserve water and preserve the environment. Learn best practices in Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) through the Master Gardeners at our local extension of the University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Learn more about Florida Friendly Landscaping!

Greenhouse Gas Assessment

Green House Assessment PDF - opens in new tab

Since 2005, Orange County has been tracking Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs). Our new decade assessment provides data and information about community emissions and some recommended action areas as Orange County moves into a new phase of sustainability initiatives.

Think 5: Orange County's Recycling Mantra

By focusing on the top five most-used recyclables —plastic, metal and glass containers plus cardboard and paper, you can help make recycling in Orange County more profitable. Our Curbside Collection Program tells you how. A better mix of recyclables means less waste in our landfill and more usable items to be recycled into something new!

Shop, Buy, Eat Local

Farmers market, people perusing products for sale on tables outside

Throughout our County, you will find great opportunities for fresh produce, artisan gifts and handmade items plus so much more; all from local producers. Check out the Lake Nona Farmer’s Market and many others throughout the County. Buying local supports our economy, provides better products, teaches seasonal eating, and builds communities.