Maya Ellison
Alachua County in Florida has a strong focus on recycling, with a recycling rate of 67% in 2024, ranking fifth in the state. The county accepts a wide range of plastics for recycling, including plastic bottles and containers, plastic bags, foam packaging, and plastic items such as Christmas lights and electronics. However, it is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable, and residents are advised to pay attention to the type of plastic and its suitability for recycling. The county's recycling program aims to reduce environmental impact and conserve energy, but it is important for residents to properly identify which plastics can be recycled to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bottles | Soda and water bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, etc. |
| Plastic containers | #3 through #7 |
| Plastic tubs | Butter tubs, yogurt containers |
| Plastic jars | Up to 4 gallons in size |
| Plastic flakes and pellets | Used for making recycled pipe, plastic lumber, paint containers, plastic injection molding applications (toys, trash cans, lids, etc.) |
| Plastic bags | Not recyclable |
| Plastic foam packaging | Not recyclable |
| Plastic clamshell takeout containers | Not recyclable |
| Plastic garden hoses | Not recyclable |
| Plastic Christmas lights | Recyclable |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bottles and containers
When it comes to plastic bottles and containers, residents are advised to recycle items designed to hold liquids and have a pouring spout, such as soda and water bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles. These items should be placed in the blue bin after being lightly rinsed, with caps and lids thrown away. Butter tubs and yogurt containers can also be recycled in the blue bin.
The City of Alachua's recycling program specifically mentions accepting plastic containers #3 through #7, in addition to previously accepted plastic bottles. However, it's important to note that plastic bags, foam packaging, garden hoses, and clamshell takeout containers are considered contamination in the recycling process and should be avoided.
Alachua County's recycling efforts have had a positive impact on the environment and the local economy. In 2018, the county achieved a 68% overall recycling percentage, and recycling efforts allowed the Southwest Landfill to stay open for four extra years, saving taxpayer money and providing jobs. Recycled plastic bottles and jars from the county are made into durable clothing, carpet products, and other recycled polyester products.
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Plastic bags
Alachua County, Florida, has an impressive recycling rate of 67% as of 2024, ranking it fifth out of Florida's 67 counties. The county offers a range of recycling services to its residents, including Rural Collection Centers (RCCs) and curbside pickup.
Regarding plastic bags, Alachua County's recycling program specifically mentions that grocery bags, trash bags, and plastic wrap should not be included in the recycling cart. These items are typically made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic, which is a soft, flexible plastic that is challenging to recycle. While LDPE plastic is technically recyclable, many recycling programs do not accept it due to the difficulty in sorting and processing it.
However, it's important to note that the county's Solid Waste and Resource Recovery department encourages residents to reduce waste by avoiding disposable items and choosing reusable options. Plastic bags can contribute significantly to waste, especially when used as single-use items. Therefore, residents are encouraged to reduce their use of plastic bags and opt for reusable bags whenever possible.
Although plastic bags may not be accepted in the curbside recycling program, there might be other ways to recycle them responsibly. Some retailers and grocery stores have collection bins specifically for plastic bags and wraps. These collection bins are typically located near the entrance of the store or at the customer service desk. By collecting plastic bags separately, they can be properly recycled into new products, such as composite lumber for outdoor decking, railings, and park benches.
Additionally, residents of Alachua County can take advantage of the county's Rural Collection Centers (RCCs). These RCCs accept a wide range of recyclable materials, including plastics. Before bringing plastic bags to an RCC, residents should use the Zero Waste Wizard tool to ensure that plastic bags are accepted at these locations. By following the proper disposal guidelines, residents can play a crucial role in helping Alachua County improve its recycling rate and reduce its environmental impact.
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Plastic toys
Alachua County has an impressive recycling programme, with a reported 67%-68% overall recycling rate in 2024, ranking fifth out of Florida's 67 counties. The county accepts a wide range of materials for recycling, including plastics, and has a dedicated focus on reducing waste and conserving energy.
When it comes to plastic toys, the county's recycling guidelines provide some specific instructions. Heavy-duty plastic toy packaging, for instance, cannot be recycled and should be disposed of separately. Plastic toys themselves, however, fall into a category of plastics that can be recycled and repurposed.
Alachua County sends all collected recyclables to domestic mills within the United States, contributing to the production of various products. Recycled plastics are used to create items through processes like plastic injection moulding, which is used for toys, trash cans, lids, and other products. This means that plastic toys can be recycled and given new life as something else.
The county's Rural Collection Centers (RCCs) also play a role in toy recycling. These centres have Reuse Areas where residents can leave gently used items, including toys, for others to take home for free. This initiative encourages the reuse of items, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.
It is important to note that only clean plastics can typically be recycled. Contaminated plastics often end up in landfills due to the cost-prohibitive nature of cleaning them. Therefore, residents should ensure that any plastic toys or materials intended for recycling are properly cleaned and free of contaminants.
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Plastic trash cans
Alachua County, Florida, has a strong commitment to recycling, ranking fifth out of Florida's 67 counties for recycling in 2024. With an overall recycling rate of 67%, the county is dedicated to reducing waste and conserving energy. As part of its recycling program, Alachua County accepts a range of plastic items for recycling, including plastic containers and bottles.
The recycling process for plastics in Alachua County involves sending the collected materials to specialised facilities for processing. These facilities use advanced technology and manual labour to separate different types of plastics and other recyclable materials. The sorted plastics are then cleaned, melted, and moulded into new products, such as trash cans.
It is important to note that not all types of plastic are accepted for recycling in Alachua County. The county accepts plastic containers with the recycling numbers 3 through 7. These recycling numbers indicate the specific type of plastic resin used to make the container, ensuring that only certain types of plastic are recycled.
While Alachua County does not specifically mention recycling plastic trash cans, the county's comprehensive recycling program, including its partnership with the New River Regional Landfill, demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Residents are encouraged to contact Alachua County's Waste Management Division or visit their website to learn more about the accepted materials and proper recycling procedures.
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Plastic lids
Alachua County achieved an overall recycling rate of 67% in 2024, an improvement on the previous year, when it ranked third in the state. The county recycles aluminium, steel, paper, and glass. Plastic items that can be recycled include plastic bags, clean, dry egg cartons, and meat trays, which can be returned to designated bins in grocery stores. Black plastic flower pots can be returned to nurseries or hardware stores.
The county also recycles electronics, including TVs, computers, phones, and batteries, at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. This prevents harmful pollutants from entering the environment. Residents are encouraged to refuse single-use plastics and to reuse plastic containers for storage.
When recycling plastic items, residents should pay attention to the type of plastic rather than the triangle or chasing arrows symbol, which is an industry mark indicating the resin or type of plastic used. Different types of plastic have different melting points and suitability for remanufacturing.
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Frequently asked questions
You can put plastic bottles and containers with a pouring spout in your blue bin. This includes soda and water bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, butter tubs, and yogurt containers. Please give them a light rinse and throw away the caps and lids.
Plastic bags, foam packaging, garden hoses, and clamshell takeout containers are all considered contamination in Alachua County.
The plastics you recycle are sorted, baled, and shipped to recycling facilities in the United States. They are then repurposed and reused to make new products, such as carpet, clothing, recycled pipe, plastic lumber, paint containers, and toys.
Waste pickup, including recycling, is currently serviced Monday through Thursday in Alachua County and the City of Gainesville. Residential recycling is collected once weekly. You can call the Office of Waste Collection at (352) 338-3233 to determine your pickup day.
