Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Recycling prevents waste from being sent to landfills, incinerators, and helps to prevent waste from ending up in our streams and oceans. It helps to save natural resources, prevent pollution, and create jobs.
There are several methods of collection when it comes to recycling. There are drop-off centers, deposit/refund programs, and the most common and known form of collection: curbside collection. After collection, the recyclables are processed as described in the video you just watched.
The most common items that can be recycled are:
- Paper products (cardboard, newspaper, etc.)
- Aluminum and steel cans
- Plastic bottles and containers
- Glass bottles and containers
To see what can be recycled in Jacksonville, FL, visit
the City of Jacksonville’s curbside recycling page.
At the University of North Florida 1 https://www.unf.edu/uploadedFiles/sa/housing/SummerB_Newsletter_FINAL_Web.pdf items that can be recycled include:
- Aluminum cans
- Plastic bottles and containers
- Cardboard and other paper products
- Aerosol cans
- Glass bottles and containers
- Styrofoam cups, plates, and containers
So, if you didn’t catch the definition from the video, “recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Benefiting the community and the environment.” 2 https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics .
Recycling Tips to Remember:
- No matter where and how you recycle, NEVER put your recyclables in a plastic bag.
- Keep the lids on your plastic bottles
- Rinse and dry any recyclables that contained food.
- If a pizza box has any grease marks, its not longer recyclable. Do NOT put greasy pizza boxes in the recycling.
- Always check what your recycling provider accepts and separate items that need to be recycled elsewhere.
Recycling & Disposing of Special Items
Some items should not be put into your typical waste and recycling bins. These include items like construction materials and waste, batteries and electronics, light bulbs, and chemicals.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facilities in Jacksonville, FL – Accepts: paint and paint chemicals, rechargeable batteries, photography chemicals, thermometers/stats, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, aerosol cans, pesticides, antifreeze, fertilizer, acids, gun powder, ammunition and fireworks, fluorescent bulbs and tubes (and CFL bulbs), 20 lb propane cylinders, TVs, computer parts, scanners, stereo/radio items, VCR, DVD, and cam equipment, desk/mobile phones, pagers, power tools, small kitchen appliances, and health/beauty appliances.
Old Kings Road Landfill in Jacksonville, FL – Accepts: Construction and demolition waste, yard waste, inert waste, and non-friable asbestos.
Meridian Waste in Jacksonville, FL – Accepts: Large appliances by pickup, yard waste, bulk items like furniture by pickup, construction and demolition waste, and commercial recycling.
Remember: Although recycling is a great way to reduce waste, please note that it is not the solution. The best thing for the environment and your health is to avoid plastics and unnecessary packaging, and to focus on purchasing package free sustainable or used items. If you’d like to learn more about why recycling isn’t the end all be all, check out Let’s Do It World’s website and reach about why recycling is not cool enough, and watch the amazing Ted Talk by Zero Waste Home author Bea Johnson below.
What can you do to make a difference?
- Recycle more, but also recycle less. Focus on purchasing unpackaged and compostable products, but if you must buy a packaged product, buy the most recyclable one.
- Know your recycling facilities.
- Refuse, reuse, reduce, rot (compost), and repair before recycling.
Ask Yourself:
- What items does your recycling facility accept? If there are items that it doesn’t accept, where can you take those?
- What can you do improve your recycling habits?
- What can you do to decrease your non-recyclable waste?
Alane Ertel is a graduate from the MPH program at the University of North Florida, and was an Intern at their Environmental Center during the creation of this project. Alane’s goal in creating this project is to increase awareness of environmental issues, spread zero/low waste practices, and improve environmental and human health by utilizing her passions for the environment and for creating a healthier society.
