Waste & Recycling

Accomplishments

  • County facilities recycling, with stats- Leon County residents produced enough garbage in 2008 to fill Doak Campbell Stadium EIGHT times!
  • In 2008, 545 tons of electronic materials were recycled.
    • Other Material Recycled (Fiscal Year 08/09)
      • Aluminum, Steel, Plastic & Glass 450,339 lbs
      • Paper & Cardboard 850,762 lbs
      • Household Hazard Waste 598,927 lbs
  • Free mulch: Free mulch is available at these Rural Waste Service Centers:
    • Fort Braden: 2485 East Joe Thomas Road, (850)-488-9119
    • Miccosukee: 13051 Miccosukee Road, (850)-922-0097
    • Woodville: 549 Henry Jones Road, (850)-488-9099
    • Solid Waste Management Facility: 7550 Apalachee Parkway, (850)-606-1800
  • The Hazardous Waste Center: This is the main location for disposal of household hazardous waste in Leon County. Limited disposal is also available at the Rural Waste Service Centers and at our Collection Events.
    • Swap Shop: The waste management facility collects usable household products and makes them available to the public for free in their Swap Shop. Through this program, an average of 116 gallons of latex paint is recycled each week through the Free Paint Program. Below is a list of everything the Hazardous Waste Center accepts and where is can be found in your home.
Kitchen Bathroom Laundry Garage Workshop General
oven cleaner
 

drain cleaner

floor-care products

ammonia

metal polish

furniture polish

 toilet bowl cleaner
 

aerosols

nail polish

nail polish remover

hair color

mildew remover

lime remover

 spot removers
 

bleach

aerosols

 motor oil
 

gasoline

fuel oil

antifreeze

brake fluid

transmission fluid

parts cleaner

car batteries

 paint
 

stains

glue

paint thinner

turpentine

solvents

oils

caulks

rust remover

 fluorescent bulbs
 

pool chemicals

lighter fluid

herbicides

insecticides

mercury thermometers

rechargeable batteries

watch batteries
For more information about the program, visit the hazardous waste website.

 

  • Waste Stewardship Model: Leon County’s Solid Waste Management Division has developed a solid waste stewardship model designed to stimulate thinking over purchasing decisions that result in waste creation. Through this model, the community can learn the importance of “Prevention & Reduction”, “Reuse”, “Recycling” and “Disposal”. While most community members would believe that recycling is the most important step you can take in being environmentally friendly, this chart shows that there are steps before recycling that are actually more cost effective and better for the environment. Informing the public of the different options shown in the model can make a significant impact in waste reduction. http://www.leoncountyfl.gov/Admin/pio/pdf/Links/Jul09Link_final_Low-Res.pdf

     

  • ClearStream loaner program: ClearStream receptacles’ are trash containers with a clear design that encourages more people to recycle. Clear stream loaner program makes it easier for you to recycle at your community event. Through the Leon County Recycling Program you can reserve a ClearStream container and help keep our parks beautiful. Your event will produce less waste, which keeps our landfill from becoming a “land full”. Container reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Leon County Solid Waste Spectacular – On May 30, 2009, the County hosted their first Solid Waste Spectacular. This event served as a community open house of the Leon County Solid Waste Management Facility. To many, this facility was thought of as simply a “landfill” or “dump”. Through tours, demonstrations, lectures, and activities; families learned of the various services provided through the complex that extend far beyond a “landfill”; such as, electronic recycling, household hazardous waste for used items, such as oil and batteries, the recycling education center, and much more. The fun-filled atmosphere included snow cones and face painting for kids, and a free sustainable lunch, resulting in a huge success with over 150 people attending the first annual event. This effort has received public recognition throughout the nation as a model for other municipalities to follow. Publications such as NACo’ County News, and American City & County have highlighted the event.
     
  • Landfill Gas Collection Treatment System - On October 24, 2006, the Board authorized construction of a landfill gas collection and treatment system at the Apalachee Solid Waste Management Facility which was completed in April 2007. The system collects and burns methane gas, a highly potent greenhouse gas. Since the system was installed voluntarily, the County can earn carbon credits for the destruction of the gas. In turn, these “credits” can be sold on the open market to entities that are producing greenhouse gasses. The sale and purchase of carbon credits are arranged much like the sale and purchase of stocks and bonds. Two popular agencies that perform this service are the Climate Action Reserve (CAR) and the Chicago Climate Exchange. While the treatment system has been up and running for over two years, it was recently approved that our “credits” can be sold. The sale of these carbon credits will bring in, on average, $53,900 annually for the next twenty years.
     
  • Agenda Packet Paper Reduction - Agenda packets are used for the purpose of providing essential information to the Board and their staff. This procedure uses up large quantities of paper in the process. In order to cut down on paper use, the Board approved the reduction of the printed agenda packets, which will save around 344 reams of paper a year, the equivalent to 6 trees. Additionally, a cost savings of approximately $9,000 was achieved through avoided production cost.
     
  • Styrofoam use - Styrofoam that has been contaminated by food or liquid cannot currently be recycled. For this reason the County has switched from Styrofoam coffee cups to recycled paper cups at the County Administration operations. The switch has additionally resulted in a cost savings.
     
  • Parks Recycling Program – In the fall of 2009, the parks recycling program was created. Recycling containers and collection bins have been installed at six County park facilities, and five community centers.
     
  • Yard Debris Management Services – On October 13, 2009 approval was given for the bid of yard debris management services, providing for debagging, screening, grinding, and removal of debris at the Apalachee Solid Waste Facility.