Heads up Jacksonville residents! No curbside recycling starting Monday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Attention Jacksonville residents, all curbside recycling will be suspended starting Monday, Oct. 4.

Mayor Curry announced the temporary suspension last week to help the city catch up on trash and yard debris collection.

Yard waste and household waste collection have been piling up for months now and Mayor Curry said it’s due to a nationwide labor shortage.

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“The circumstances that brought us to this place, a place that none of us have seen in our lifetimes, were beyond our control. It is a result of the lasting impacts the coronavirus pandemic has had on our economy,” Curry said.

It is unclear how long the temporary suspension will stay in place, but Curry said they will resume normal operations “as soon as possible.”

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In order to help with the suspension, the city is opening 14 recycling drop-off locations that are free for residents. They will be open Monday - Saturday, sunrise to sunset starting Oct. 4.

RECYCLING DROP-OFF SITES:

Opening Oct. 4, sunrise to sunset Monday - Saturday

• Blue Cypress Regional Park - 4112 University Blvd. N. – 32277
• William F. Sheffield Regional Park - 3659 New Berlin Rd. – 32226
• Girvin Road Landfill - 515 Girvin Rd. – 32225
• Southside Estates Elementary Park - 9775 Ivey Rd. – 32246
• Earl Johnson Memorial Park - 5308 St. Augustine Rd. – 32207
• Palmetto Leaves Regional Park - 5760 Greenland Rd. – 32257
• A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park - 1096 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. – 32206
• Dinsmore Playground Park - 10632 Old Kings Rd. – 32219
• Hammond Park - 2142 Melson Ave. – 32254
• Mary Lena Gibbs Community Center - 6974 Wilson Blvd. – 32210
• Fort Family Regional Park - 8000 Baymeadows Rd. E. – 32256
• Normandy Park - 1728 Lindsey Rd. – 32221
• Castaway Island Preserve - 2885 San Pablo Rd. S. – 32225
• Riverside Park - 753 Park St. – 32204

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will recycling collection resume?

As soon as household and yard waste collections are caught up.

Can I use my recycling bin as an extra trash bin?

Yes. Your recycling bin can be used as an additional trash bin. Note: If you put your recyclables curbside, they will be collected as household waste.

Are the recycling drop-off sites free?

Yes. There is no cost to drop off your recyclables at the designated locations.

Can I use plastic bags to drop off my recyclables at the 14 different sites?

No. If you bring your recyclables to the drop-off sites in plastic bags you will need to de-bag the recyclables and put them in the drop-off containers loose. The plastic bags should be taken back with you and NOT placed in the recycling bin. Plastic bags are not recyclable and will get caught and stuck in recycling equipment at the center.

Can I use paper bags to drop off my recyclables at the 14 different sites?

Yes. Paper bags can be used and placed directly into the bin.

Do I need to separate my recyclables at the 14 different sites?

No. There will be one bin for all allowable recyclables.

What can I recycle?

All items should be clean, empty, and dry. The following items are accepted:

Paper

• Mail, office and school paper
• Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, phone books
• Paperback books
• Brown paper bags
• Fiberboard boxes (cracker/cereal)
• Corrugated cardboard (flattened and 2′x3′ or smaller)

Plastics

• Numbered 1-3, 5 and 7
• Water/soda bottles
• Detergent bottles
• Cleaning solution bottles

Cartons

• Milk and creamer containers
• Juice boxes
• Soup and broth containers

Glass

• Green, brown or clear bottles and jars (discard lids with garbage)

Metal

• Steel food containers
• Aluminum cans
• Aluminum baking pans

What can’t I recycle?

These items are not accepted:

• Any #4 plastics (LDPE) — Includes items such as cling (Saran) wrap, sandwich bags, plastic garbage or grocery bags
• Any #6 plastics (polystyrene) — Includes items such as all types of plastic foam, packing peanuts, plastic cutlery, hangers, and medicine bottles
• Aerosol cans
• Shredded paper
• Weapons
• Batteries
• Fireworks or flares
• Needles
• Cables or wires
• Rubber
• Food or yard waste

Remember, just because an item might contain recyclable material does not mean it can be recycled. Most recyclable items, including plastics, will be marked with a recycling symbol.

For more information, call (904) 630-2489 (CITY), or click here.

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