We are committed to the community. We are Committed to you.
Waste & Recycling
Current Initiatives
- Building waste reduction and material reuse - There is a
constant need to demolish old inefficient buildings and construct new
more efficient ones all throughout Leon County. We are proud to say that
we are able to recycle 100% of the waste from these large projects.
Since this falls under a Class III category, our Solid Waste Division
has arranged for all of our waste to be recycled through an outside
company exclusively. We are also able to take out anything from the
building that can be directly re-used by us. One example of this is with
our Traffic Court building that had some HVAC equipment that had been
installed recently and was still usable. We were able to remove this
equipment and store it for re-use or to scavenge parts. The County also
takes out all the copper before any demolition starts. Also any and all
hazardous waste is removed and disposed of separately according to the
proper regulations.
- Joint Anti-Litter Campaign - During the October 27, 2009 Board meeting, Commissioner Desloge shared that he would like to partner with the City on an anti-litter program. Together City and County staff have identified two areas for partnership, 1) Tarp It! and 2) Enhanced Adopt-A-Road.
- “Tarp It” campaign - Tarps are the unsung heroes of solid waste, keeping unwieldy garbage loads safely contained. The “Tarp It” campaign was implemented to stop the harmful release of trash throughout our community. Leon County now enforces the “Tarp It” campaign to all solid waste trucks, which requires them to use a tarp over their truck beds. This eliminates the release of trash and debris during transport, increasing safety and keeping our town trash free.
Enhanced Adopt-A-Road - The Public Works staff administers the County’s Adopt-A-Road program. The goal of the program is to keep public rights-of-way free of litter by soliciting the participation of community organizations and individuals in cleaning up litter. Currently over 40 groups have adopted segments of county road and pledge to conduct routine litter pickups of their adopted segments.
At this time, staff at the City and County are examining ways to enhance community interest and participation in the program. Together the programs are being reviewed for opportunities to coordinate efforts and gain greater efficiencies or outcomes. Additionally a joint communication campaign would likely occur.
- Community Education - For all who are interested, Leon County’s Community Education Coordinator will come to your school, workplace or community group to talk about where you garbage goes, ways to prevent and reduce waste, and tips on recycling. In 2009, Recycling and Education Services conducted 147 educational presentations and 42 Solid Waste Facility tours. Tours are also available at the Solid Waste Management Facility on Apalachee Parkway, the Transfer Station on Gum Road. Contact Carole Gentry at
gentryc@leoncountyfl.gov to learn more.
- Hazardous Waste Collection Events - The Hazardous Waste Center holds collection events every first Saturday of the month between September and May. Common household items that can be dropped off are batteries, paint, and tires. For more information on what can be recycled and the exact dates please visit the Hazardous Waste and Electronic Collection
Website.
- Regional Glass Recycling – Currently there are no glass recycling facilities in our region and all glass is shipped to Atlanta to be recycled. With no viable market for glass recycling, more time, energy and money must be spent to recycle this material. As a solution, Leon County is working on acquiring the proper machinery to recycle glass at our own facilities. We are also collaboratively assessing options for the development of a locally based regional glass recycling market such as using the recycled glass to “impregnate” wood. Glass impregnated wood is a new way to pressure-treat your wood without using harsh and hazardous chemicals.
- Recycling in County Buildings – Staff is working toward a goal of implementing a uniform recycling program throughout all County facilities. The program will cover both paper and co-mingle (cans and bottles). The uniformity will allow for consistency of standard operating procedures and likely increase recycling participation rates. Efforts have begun in the Courthouse and are currently expanding into the Bank of America (BOA) building. Occupants of BOA have now received desk-side bins for paper and the central deposit bins known as ‘Slim Jims’. Additionally co-mingle bins have been placed throughout the building. Staff has worked directly with the custodial team regarding the collection of recycled goods.
- Recycling 101 - The Office of Sustainability is working on creating a uniform recycling program and associated ‘Recycling 101’ training geared towards building occupants within the Courthouse, Bank of America Building, Public Works, and Amtrak facilities. Additional buildings will be added in the future.