What types of plastic can I recycle?

The Highlands County program takes plastic containers only.  When you purchase something that is containerized in plastic you can recycle it.  Good examples of plastic containers that can be recycled are:

Milk, water, soda/soft drink and juice bottles; detergent, bleach or cleaning solvents; condiment plastic containers (mustard, ketchup, jelly); baked goods (such as muffin or pastry containers).

Can I recycle plastic bags or styrofoam?

These items should be recycled at your local grocery store.   The County’s recycling program does not include this type of plastic.

Paper grocery bags cam be recycled with cardboard and magazines at your local County drop-off location.

Do all advertisement inserts have to be removed before I recycle newspaper?

NO.  As long as the inserts come in the newspapers, they are okay to recycle.

Can magazines or catalogs be recycled in the newspaper container?

NO.  Only newspaper should be deposited in the green and red containers marked “Newspaper Only”. Cardboard and magazines should be deposited in the large white container marked for those items.

Can magazines & cardboard be recycled?

YES.  Please deposit flattened cardboard along with your magazines in the white container labeled “Cardboard and Magazines Only” at your nearest drop-off location.  These items must be recycled separate from newspaper.

Can I also recycle office paper and junk mail?

NO.  At this time the Highlands County Recycling Program cannot accept these items.

What about phone book recycling?

Highlands County has a special phone book recycling project during mid November and December of each year.  Phone books should be recycled only during that time.  Specially marked bins are positioned throughout the County at some of the more frequented drop-off locations.

To participate in this special project, watch for local press releases on radio and in the newspaper.

What about steel can  recycling?

Steel cans such as vegetable, soup, various food and coffee cans can be mixed in with aluminum cans and placed in the compartment marked “Steel/Aluminum Cans” at the recycling container in your area.

Can I recycle aerosol cans?

YES.  As long as the cans are completely empty of contents and the plastic spray nozzle removed.  These types of cans can be recycled in the same way as the food cans.

Some final recycling tips:

Please rinse all plastic containers, steel and aluminum cans when emptied and before you recycle them.  Rinsing helps to control roaches in your home and in the recycling containers.

Don’t create an extra trip to recycle.  Try to plan your time and save gas by adding recycling to your already scheduled list of errands.  Many convenient voluntary drop-off sites are available at shopping plazas, malls and grocery stores, along with some in your local neighborhood.

As you recycle, you are not only helping the environment by reducing the use of our natural resources, but you are also helping to generate revenue for funding the recycling program.