RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING

Find out from the source, once and for all, what can be recycled and how to sort smarter!

WHAT CAN BE RECYCLED?

We’ve all been there—staring at the trash can trying to decide if it’s worth the extra time and effort to wash out that jar and recycle it. Recycling can seem inconvenient when there isn’t enough room in bins or when you’re unsure whether something can even be recycled at all. Let’s take care of that last one right now.

ORANGE BIN

Paper, Cardboard, etc.

  • Junk mail and office paper
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Catalogs, coupon books, telephone books
  • Clean cardboard (up to 4’ x 4’ flattened)
  • Brown paper bags
  • Pasteboard (flattened cereal, tissue, shoe boxes, etc.)
  • Paperback books and school workbooks (please donate if possible)

TRASH CAN

Non-Recyclables

  • Lids of any kind
  • Frozen food trays
  • Black plastic of any kind
  • Clamshell containers (blueberry containers) or supermarket to-go containers
  • Plastic cups (Solo Cups) or take- out cups (coffee or soda cups)
  • Take-out containers of any kind
  • Compostable, biodegradable or degradable containers (commonly listed as “bio- plastics”)
  • Empty petroleum product, pool chemical or pesticide containers
  • Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
  • Egg cartons

BLUE BIN

Plastics, Glass, Metals, etc.

  • Plastic and glass bottles and jars — up to 4 gallons in size
  • Metal cans, including empty aerosol cans
  • Yogurt cups and margarine tubs

CURBSIDE PICKUP SCHEDULE

Waste pickup in Alachua County and the City of Gainesville is currently serviced Monday–Thursday. Please call the Office of Waste Collection at (352) 338-3233 and provide your address to determine your pickup day.

For more information, please review our Let’s Talk Trash – Residential Recycling and Trash Disposal Guide.

COMMONLY CONFUSED ITEMS

In Alachua County, 61% of residents place items in the trash when unsure about them. Here are a few examples of common items people are uncertain about.

MILK JUGS

Recycle milk jugs in the blue bin.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Christmas lights contain glass, copper and plastic, which can all be recycled.

Learn How

GIFT WRAPPING RIBBON

Gift wrapping is not recyclable.

OFFICE PAPER

Recycle office paper in the orange bin.

GLASS BOTTLES

Recycle glass bottles in the blue bin.

CARDBOARD BOXES

Recycle cardboard in the orange bin.

WHAT DO RECYCLED MATERIALS BECOME?

1063

TONS of plastic bottles have been turned into carpet, flooring & more

2657

TONS of paper have been broken down into new paper products

413

TONS of aluminum have been recycled into items like airplane wings & soda cans

4072

TONS of glass have been transformed into highway beading & other products

*These numbers are based off of 2019 calendar year tonnages

OUTREACH & EDUCATION

Our staff is available for educational presentations at your school or residential organization. And because our top priorities are education and transparency, we also offer free tours of our facilities.

To learn more or schedule a presentation, please contact our Outreach & Education department at (352) 374-5213.

Our Outreach Programs

BORROW-A-BIN FOR EVENTS

Have an event or large gathering coming up? You can borrow recycling containers and bags at no cost to encourage sustainable waste disposal.

LEARN MORE

RURAL COLLECTION CENTERS (RCCS)

Alachua County residents in rural areas without curbside pickup service can take their recycling, trash, yard waste, bulk items and household hazardous waste to one of five RCCs.

Learn More

DON’T HAVE ORANGE OR BLUE BINS?

    ASK A QUESTION OR SIGN UP FOR UPDATES!

    Have more recycling questions? Fill out the form below, and we’ll do our best to get back to you within 48 hours. You can also sign up for email updates to stay in the know.

    For garbage cart or recycling bin requests, please call Alachua County’s Office of Waste Collection (352-338-3233).

    I would like to receive recycling updates via email

    * required fields