Orlando

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. Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers.

  • Cup lid
  • Detergent bottle
  • Egg carton
  • Milk jug
  • Soda bottle
  • Single-serve food container
  • Sauce bottle
  • Take-out container
  • Tubs
  • Cup
  • Clean and dry your plastic bottles
  • ‘Clam shell’ container
  • Beverage bottle
  • Soap bottle
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

  • Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans
  • Beer can
  • Beverage can (empty)
  • Food can (no residue)

Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans

PAPER

Look for Paper items

  • Newspapers, junk mail, sheets of paper and drink cartons
  • Wrapping paper (paper only)
  • Toilet paper roll
  • Paper towel roll
  • Envelope
  • Phone book
  • Magazine
  • Standard greeting cards, gift boxes (no glitter or photos)
  • Flyers

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 and jars (remove lids or caps)
  • Wine bottle
  • Liquor container
  • Beer bottle
Bottles and jars (remove lids or caps)
Clean and dry your glass bottles

OTHERS

Other items that may be recycled

  • Clean aseptic cartons – shelf-stable, paper-layered food and beverage containers for juice, soup, milk etc
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

  • Food waste
  • Plastic bags, wires or string
  • Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) cups and containers
  • Aluminum food pans
  • Plastic gloves
  • Paper masks
  • Keep wet materials and liquids out of recycling
  • Ceramics
  • Windows
  • Mirrors

Recycle Collection Tips

  • Always use clear bags to separate your recycling from waste, so contents are visible
  • Break down and flatten boxes and place them outside your door for doorstep collection only on the days/times of your service
  • Do not include sharp objects like broken glass or ceramic dishes. Do not include needles
  • Not all plastic or paper is recyclable. Coated paper (with surface sheen) such as cups, plates or shiny cardboard boxes, belong in the trash
  • Rinse out food waste, oil, grease, detergents, lotions, etc. from qualified plastic or metal containers before recycling
  • Plastic bags cannot be recycled. Plastic bagged recyclables should never be placed directly into communal recycling containers
  • Even if it says “compostable,” do not put any compostable plastics into your recycling
  • No loose plastic bags, wires or string are allowed in recycling as it can tangle sorting machines

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

  • The City of Orlando is aiming to “divert waste to the landfill to zero” by 2040
  • All new residential and commercial construction projects will have to submit a recycling plan by Oct.1 to receive a certificate of occupancy
  • Large multifamily residential buildings of at least 250 units and commercial buildings of at least 200,000 square feet must offer recycling by April 1, 2020
  • Residences of 74 units or more and commercial buildings of 100,000-199,999 square feet must comply by April 21, 2021
  • Small residences of 4-74 units and all commercial buildings must comply by April 1, 2023
  • Multifamily: 4 or more units under one roof. Single-family, duplex, and triplex don’t apply to the mandatory program and are still covered by a successful residential recycling program
  • Currently, Orlando does not require multifamily communities to recycle
  • Building owners must provide a recycling container, arrange for recyclable material collection, and maintain and submit verification records
  • No refuse or recycling containers shall be located within any required front or street side yard setback
    • No such containers should be in any required parking space or vehicular area, or any required buffer yard or landscaping area
  • Service access – must provide fifty feet of clear backup space “as measured perpendicular from the screen area shall be provided from the face of the refuse and recycling containers’ screening, unless otherwise approved by the Solid Waste Bureau Chief
    • “No encroachment into this area by parking spaces, non-driveway sidewalks, or landscape areas shall be allowed
  • Recycling can be done through a private contractor, or the city can provide recycling services if the community chooses to do so
  • Large communities – multifamily developments of more than 250 and commercial buildings over 200,000 sq. ft. would have to submit and implement a recycling plan within 12 months of the ordinance effective date
  • Medium communities – multifamily developments with 15-249 units and commercial buildings 100,000-199,999 would have to submit and implement a recycling plan within 24 months of the ordinance effective date
  • All other communities would have to submit and implement a recycling plan within 48 months of the ordinance effective date

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"