The Alachua County Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Department recognizes that plastic recycling has been getting more complicated over the years. This is due to differences in manufacturing, additives, and types of plastic. Alachua County discourages residents from looking at the number inside the chasing arrows triangle on the bottom of plastic containers to determine whether they can be recycled, but instead to learn by identification what is and isn’t recyclable in the County.
Items that are recyclable in blue bins include plastic beverage containers, water and soda bottles, aluminum beverage containers, glass bottles and jars, metal food cans, yogurt cups, margarine tubs, and empty bleach and detergent bottles. Items that cannot be recycled in the blue bin include thin plastic clamshell packaging (used for berries, and vegetables), plastic grocery bags (these should be recycled at grocery stores), motor oil containers, and items that contain both metal and plastic.
Items that are recyclable in the orange bin include magazines and books, phone books, newspapers, and cardboard boxes (must be broken down). Wet or greasy paper products cannot be recycled.
Watch a video about the recycling process and what can and can’t be recycled.
Learn more about recycling guidelines in Alachua County.
For more information, contact Acting Director of Solid Waste and Resource Recovery at 352-548-1285 or pirby@alachuacounty.us.