Waste & Recycling

Summary & Connection

 

Recycling and generating less waste is essential to achieving sustainability. Arguably, a sustainable society would generate no waste at all. Elimination of solid waste at its source is an important concept to embrace at home and at work. More than 50% of our trash could be reused or recycled. When making decisions related to disposing or purchasing items, always remember: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Reduce. While it is important to recycle, a more proactive solution would be to reduce the amount of recyclables and trash disposed of. The EPA estimates that between 1960 and 2007 the amount of waste each person creates has almost doubled from 2.7 to 4.6 pounds per day. The most effective way to stop this trend is by preventing waste in the first place. Directing all recyclable items out of the trash stream and thinking about product packaging before making a purchasing decision can have a large impact on waste reduction.

Reuse. There are many products that we frequently use that can be replaced with materials which have less of an environmental impact. One of the easiest ways we can all make an impact is by using reusable bags when grocery shopping. This one act cuts waste down significantly. Reusing appropriate items is another way to stop waste at the source because it delays or avoids that item's entry in the waste collection and disposal system.

Recycle. Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. Some of these benefits accrue locally as well as globally. Recycling reduces landfill needs, saves energy, conserves natural resources such as timber and water, and prevents pollution caused by manufacturing of virgin products. It also protects and expands U.S. manufacturing jobs and increases U.S. competitiveness.

  • Information on County recycling services is below:

City of Tallahassee
Residents

Unincorporated Leon County
Residents


The City of Tallahassee provides curbside garbage and recycling pickup for residents living within city limits.

City of Tallahassee Solid Waste Services
2727 Municipal Way
Tallahassee, FL 32304
(850) 891-4968

 Waste Management, Inc. provides curbside garbage and recycling pickup for Leon County residents living outside of the Tallahassee city limits. Call WMI to subscribe to their service.


Waste Management, Inc. 3001 Commonwealth Tallahassee, FL 32303 (850) 574-3000