NAPLES, Fla. — Naples businesses are frustrated, claiming dust and debris from a nearby waste treatment facility continues to blow onto their property despite numerous complaints and follow-ups with the county. It’s set.
Jared Scott, owner of Naples Body and Fender, said the issue has been going on for several months and is impacting his employees and customers. “I think they can’t really control everything,” Scott said. “Ultimately it’s going to have a negative impact on parking and cars. It’s just going to be a mess,” he added.
Scott showed the blanket of dust covering the vehicles at his store Wednesday and said debris is regularly blown away from the Coastal Waste and Recycling facility across the street.
Read FOX 4 Community Correspondent Mahmoud Bennett’s full report here
Dust and debris from waste facility is wreaking havoc on Naples business, owner says
Scott said the additional cleaning is burdensome and frustrating for businesses. “It gets airborne, it gets on everything, and it’s just a nuisance,” Scott explained.
Collier County issued a violation notice to the waste facility in May for “unauthorized accumulation of trash.” According to the county, there have been 10 previous code enforcement incidents related to the facility. But Scott says the issue remains unresolved.
“When we filed a complaint, they (the county) responded, but when we go out, they say they’re in compliance,” Scott said. “When we visit, they say they’re doing what they’re supposed to do. But when we ask why infections are still spreading from their area, they don’t have an answer,” he said. Explained.
Coastal Waste & Recycling, the company overseeing the Southwest Waste recycling facility, said the facility follows strict standards and complies with all local regulations. The two waste management companies merged in October.
“We take issue with special treatment within an industrial park where other industrial companies are located, especially when operating under very strict controls that are regularly monitored,” company representatives said in a statement. ” he said.
“After acquiring the business, we completely remodeled and upgraded our facility, including installing a best-in-class recycling system, 40-foot-tall dust screens, water misting systems, water cannons, and screens. “Additionally, we operate street cleaning vehicles on site and around the neighborhood to maintain appropriate conditions,” the statement continued.
“We operate a state-of-the-art facility and pride ourselves on being good neighbors wherever we operate,” the statement said.
Despite the complaints, Collier County law enforcement officials said an inspection conducted in mid-November found no violations related to airborne debris.
Collier County said in an email to Fox 4, “If law enforcement receives another complaint regarding this matter and our officers observe another trash violation, we will forward the matter to a public hearing.”
The county says it is classifying the matter as a civil matter.
