Recycling
Recycling is the Natural Choice!
Recycling is the process of collecting, processing, and remanufacturing materials into new products. When residents recycle, it benefits the environment and the economy. Seminole County is proud to recycle to protect natural resources, reduce waste, and conserve the longevity of the landfill.
On this page
What Can I Recycle Curbside?
Paper and Cardboard
Cereal boxes, brown paper bags, non-greasy pizza boxes, corrugated cardboard, newspaper, magazines, office paper
Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
Beer, soda cans, soup cans
Plastic containers
Water bottles, milk jugs, berry containers
Glass containers
Glass bottles, pasta sauce jars
Recyclable Hazardous Household Waste
The County provides a free program for residents to safely dispose of hazardous household waste. Through working collaboratively with several contractors and partnerships, Seminole County can increase collection for these uncommon recyclable items.
Did you know the following items are also recyclable?
- Rechargeable batteries (PDF)
- Used automotive oil
- Lead acid batteries
- Antifreeze
- Shoes
- Bicycles
- Scrap metal
- Electronic Waste — computers, monitors, printers, televisions, cellphones, and batteries (including lithium)
- Can be dropped off in the Hazardous Household Waste tunnel at the Central Transfer Station
- Residents are limited to 40 pounds per household or 5 items total
What Items Cannot Be Recycled?
- Glass home décor, ceramics, or pottery
- Styrofoam
- Wax-lined paper cups and plates
- Plastic bags, bubble wrap, and other plastic wrap
- Greasy pizza boxes
Plastic Bags and Recycling
Plastic bags cannot be recycled through curbside recycling collection. Plastic bags often get tangled in equipment used to sort recycled items which can become a safety issue for workers. Residents interested in recycling plastic bags can drop them off at participating stores to be recycled. For example, retailers such as Publix offer recycling bins for plastic bags.
Best Practices for Recycling
- Remove food waste from containers.
- Be sure items placed in the recycling bin are clean and dry.
- Do not bag recycled items.
What Happens to the Materials I Recycle?
Step 1:
Collection
Recycling starts with collection.
- Materials can be picked up by waste haulers and brought to the Central Transfer Station in Seminole County.
- Recyclables can also be directly delivered to the Central Transfer Station, 1950 FL-419, Longwood.
Step 2:
Sorting
Materials are then brought to a Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) for sorting.
- Seminole County recyclables go to a MRF in Cocoa Beach to be processed.
Step 3:
Remanufacturing
Materials processed at the MRF are sent to factories to be remanufactured into new products. Recycled materials can be remanufactured into a wide variety of new products such as:
- Furniture
- Floor tiles
- Synthetic lumber
- Pencils
- Pens
- Paper and cardboard
Why Should I Recycle?
Recycling helps to reduce environmental impacts.
- By recycling, residents help to conserve natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals.
- Recycling conserves energy. For example, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recycling just 10 plastic bottles can save enough energy to power a laptop for more than 25 hours.
- Recycling works to reduce waste that is brought to the landfill and incinerators. By decreasing the use of incinerators, the harmful effects of pollutions and emissions are also significantly reduced.
Recycling has an economic benefit.
- Recycling helps to create jobs.
- According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in a single year, recycling activities accounted for:
- 681,000 jobs
- $37.8 billion in wages
- $5.5 billion in tax revenues
Recycle Bin Request Form
Do you need a new or replacement recycle bin?
Seminole County provides up to 4 recycle bins for our unincorporated solid waste residents. You can request bins if you’re a new resident or if you need a replacement bin. If you are within our service area, the hauler will deliver your new recycle bins within 2 weeks on your recycle day.
Residents within city limits should contact their municipality for a recycling bin.