Q: How do I recycle if I live in a multi-family complex without separate curbside containers?
A: Multi-family complexes should have large recycling carts available for the use of their residents. These containers are usually be found in the solid waste disposal area, or in an area set aside for recycling. Contact the property manager for information. If there are no recycling carts available at your location, please contact a recycling coordinator at 239-252-2508.
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Q: How do I get my first recycling container for my new home?
A: If you have moved into a newly constructed home and have your certificate of occupancy, or have moved and do not have a recycling cart, please call our Customer Service Call Center at (239) 252-2380, Monday – Friday, 7:30am –5:30pm, or Saturdays between 8:00am and 2:00pm, to order your recycling container. Delivery of the cart will take between two and three weeks. Please note, the container is assigned to the home, not to the homeowner. If you move, leave the container.
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Q: What items can I put into my single-family curbside recycling container?
A: You can place all paper products: newspapers, paper bags, office paper, junk mail, phone books, catalogs, magazines, cereal/food boxes and cardboard (flattened and cut to 3x3 size) into the recycling bin. Also place plastics labeled# 1 through #7, glass, and cans made of steel, or aluminum into the recycling bin. You may also include plastic grocery bags, food trays, egg cartons.
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Q: How do I prepare my recyclables for curbside pick-up?
A: Remove food residue from all items. Place all recyclable items together in the curbside container.
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Q: What can I do with my plastic grocery bags, styrofoam egg cartons and food trays?
A: You can place these items in your recycling container. In addition, most supermarkets in Collier County have in store collection containers for plastic bags.
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Q: What can I do with styrofoam packing peanuts?
A: Packing peanuts and clean bubble wrap can be reused. Most privately owned mailing and packaging businesses will accept them for reuse. Check the yellow pages for a mailing and packaging business near your home.
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Q: Where can I take large amounts of cardboard for recycling?
A: Large amounts of cardboard can be taken to one of the Recycling Centers. There is no charge for recycling large amounts of cardboard. Remember that cardboard boxes can be reused.
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Q: Who can use the recycling centers?
A: The recycling centers can be used by all residents and businesses within Collier County. Use of the recycling centers may require a self-hauling certificate.
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Q: Where are the recycling centers located and when are they open?
A: For more information on recycling centers click here.
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Q: What items can be taken to a recycling center?
A: For information about recycling centers click here.
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Q: Is residential recycling mandatory in Collier County?
A: Recycling is only mandatory for non-residential units in Collier County. See our Business Recycling section of this website for more information on business recycling. Florida State Legislature mandated in 1988 that Florida counties with populations over 50,000 must implement recycling programs with a 30% recycling rate by 1994. Collier County implemented a recycling program for single-family homes in 1990, a program for multi-family homes in 1994, and a mandatory non-residential recycling ordinance in 2004. The same types of recyclables are collected from all residents. However, the collection system and billing may be different for single-family and multi-family homes. Because recycling is one step toward protecting our natural resources and saving landfill space, all residents are encouraged to recycle.
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Q: At what time should I set out my recycling container?
A: Local Ordinance 99-51 Section 7, states that your recycling container, yard waste, garbage container, and bulky items are not to be set out before 6:00 PM the evening before your actual collection day. Empty containers should be removed the same day as collected. Violations carry a $100.00 fine.
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Q: On which day is my recycling collected?
A: Please call Customer Service at (239)252-2380 to determine on which day your curbside recycling is collected.
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Q: How do I get a replacement container if mine is stolen, run over or broken?
A: Call Customer Service at (239) 252-2380 to make arrangements to replace your recycling container.
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Q: How do I get additional recycling containers?
A: For additional containers you can call Waste Management Customer Service at (239) 649-2212 and request one. Homeowners must pay for additional containers through Waste Management. It will take between 2-3 weeks for the container to be delivered.
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Q: Is organic waste included in the ordinance as a recyclable material?
A: Organic wastes, such as food wastes, can be classified as an additional recyclable material by the recycling ordinance If the Board determines at a later date that a market exists for these materials and a viable collection system is in place, they may be included as a recyclable item.
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Q: Where can I find additional information on non-residential recycling?
A: If you still have questions after visiting our website, call 239-252-2508 for more information.
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Q: Will recycling lower my garbage bill?
A: Not today but it may in the long run. When everyone recycles, less landfill space is used, more resources are saved, and the environment is protected. Your garbage bill represents all your solid waste services, including twice weekly curbside garbage collection, once weekly collection of up to 10 containers/bundles of yard waste, and once weekly collection of bulky items and recycling. Residents can drop off many items at county operated recycling centers without charge.
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Q: What do I do with my dead Christmas tree?
A: Christmas trees can be set out curbside on your regular yard waste day. Multi-family residents can bring their trees to the recycling centers for mulching. Call Customer Service at (239) 403-2380 if you need to know your yard waste collection day.
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