South Florida Recycling: Dos and Don'ts to Avoid Contamination

Recycling Contamination Crisis

• ⚠️ Recycling is crucial due to a growing waste crisis and limited landfill space, but many South Floridians are not recycling properly.
• 💡 Approximately 60% of people want to recycle but are confused about the rules, leading to mistakes that make recycling too expensive for cities.
• 💰 Improper recycling practices result in extra costs, with some facilities charging up to $55 per ton to handle contaminants.

Common Recycling Mistakes

• 🚫 Plastic bags are a major problem and are never recyclable; they clog machinery and create a mess, adding significant costs.
• 🚫 Items like solo cups, plastic cups, and plastic utensils are single-use plastics and are not recyclable.
• 🚫 Wish cycling, such as attempting to recycle infant car seats, clogs machinery and halts the entire recycling process.

What Can Be Recycled

• ♻️ The most in-demand plastic is number 1 PET, found in water bottles, soda bottles, and jars (must be rinsed).
• ♻️ Number 2 HDPE plastics, used in milk jugs and cleaning containers, are also recyclable.
• ♻️ Number 5 plastic (polypropylene), used in dairy tubs, has a low market demand, and only about 3% are actually recycled.
• 🥫 Cans (aluminum and steel) are always recyclable, yet most are thrown away.
• 📦 Paper and boxes, especially cardboard, are in high demand; flatten them first, and clean pizza boxes are acceptable.

Recycling Best Practices

• ✨ Recycling works when done right: always rinse containers and ensure items are clean, dry, and empty.
• 🗑️ When in doubt, throw it out in the garbage to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.
• 🛍️ Consider reusable bags instead of accepting plastic bags to reduce waste and its impact on waterways and oceans.