Miami-Metropolitan Area

Recycling Guidelines

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

PLASTIC

Look for plastic items labeled #1 - #5.

  • Bath bottles- shampoo, conditioner, etc.
  • Beverage bottles- water, soda, etc.
  • Jugs- detergent, cleaning supplies, etc.
  • Juice cartons
  • Plastic containers with necks only
  • Lids and caps can stay on plastic bottles
Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers
Plastic, single-serve to-go containers with no food residue

METAL

Look for tin, aluminum and other metal items

  • Aluminum & steel cans

Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans

PAPER

Look for Paper items

  • Cardboard
  • Catalogs
  • Magazines
  • Mail
  • Newspaper
  • Office paper
  • Paperboard food boxes- cereal, crackers, pasta, etc.
  • Phone books
  • Shoe boxes

Paper can be recycled up to seven times, depending on the quality

Cardboard tubes from wrapping or toilet paper rolls

GLASS

Look for glass food jars and drink bottles

  • Bottles & jars-clear, brown, or green
Bottles and jars (remove lids or caps)
Clean and dry your glass bottles

OTHERS

Other items that may be recycled

  • Aseptic containers- juice boxes and coated paperboard milk
Check with your leasing office for official guidelines
Click the “Recycling Resources” for more details

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

Doorstep Recycling Collection
Place acceptable recyclables in a securely tied, see-thru bag, separate from your trash and place in your bin, outside your front door with your scheduled trash collection.

When in Doubt – Toss it Out
Please do not place any unacceptable items in communal recycling containers or in your household recycling bags. Remember, if recycling contains “contaminants” (non-recyclable items or containers not properly cleaned), the whole batch may be rejected and sent to a land fill. When in doubt – best to toss it out!

What can NOT be recycled

  • Prohibited plastic
    • Plastic bags
    • Styrofoam cups
    • Plates and food containers
    • Meatpacking trays
    • Styrofoam egg cartons
    • Plastic silverware
  • Polystyrene products
  • Straws
  • Home chemicals
    • Paints
    • Pesticides
    • Aerosol cans
    • Engine/motor/oil
  • Electronics waste and accessories
    • PCs
    • Monitors
    • Television
    • Printer cartridges
    • Keyboards
    • Cell phones
    • Home telephones
    • Radios
    • Speakers
    • CDs and DVDs
    • CDs and DVDs players
  • Batteries
    • Dry cell batteries
    • Lead-acid batteries
  • Coat hangers
  • Small appliances
  • Microware trays
  • Cooking pots and pans
  • Garbage, debris, dirt or yard trash
  • Other glass products: window or auto glass, light bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, mirrors, cookware, ceramic, bakeware
  • Ceramics

Multifamily-specific highlights. Check with your municipality for the latest guidelines.

  • Recycling in multifamily communities (apartment buildings and condominiums) is mandatory. These services can be provided by a permitted hauler, private recycling hauler or their appropriate governmental agency
    • If communities do not comply, they could be fined; ranging from $300 to $950 based on the number of units
  • The hauler must include, at minimum the five materials below
    • Newspaper, glass (flint, emerald, amber), aluminum cans, steel cans, plastics (PETE, NDPE-natural, HDPE colored)
    • The failure of a multifamily community to provide a recycling program or modified recycling program shall constitute a violation. Which the property owners shall be liable.
  • All residents are required to separate, from all other solid waste collected, the following materials
    • Newspaper, glass, aluminum cans, steel cans, plastics
  • Must place materials in specialized receptacles or in any other manner which the county manager determines shall facilitate the recycling of such materials

Electronics Recycling: 

  • Computers
  • Televisions
  • Audio and video equipment
  • Cellular phones and more

  Household Appliances: 

  • Refrigerators
  • Stoves
  • Dishwashers
  • Water healers
  • Washers and dryers

  Home Chemical Collection: 

  • Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s), non-rechargeable alkaline household batteries and certain rechargeable batteries
  • Oil-based paints
  • Pesticides
  • Solvents
  • Call 311 to find a location near you

  Sharps Disposal: 

  • Medical waste such as syringes, needles can be disposed at Miami-Dade County Health Department-approved locations

*These items can be taken to Trash and Recycling centers (only Miami-Dade County waste customers can use these facilities) or Home Chemical Collection Centers (all residents can use them)
https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1464797123341331
https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1464798615648535

Multifamily Recycle Collection Tips 

Learn more about recycling in your city.

For more information, please contact:

Department of Solid Waste 1290 N.W. 20th Street Miami, FL 33142 Email: [email protected]

Phone: 305-960-2801

This information is not your official community or municipality guidelines. Recycling mandates may change based on the local processing capabilities and shifting markets. Contact your leasing office or local recycling agency to learn more or use the links under the “Recycling Resources"