Recycle Right - the Simple 5

Miami-Dade County's curbside recycling program has made it easier for residents to Recycle Right.

Here's what you should put in your recycling cart:

THE SIMPLE 5

• Paper products: newspapers, magazines, catalogs, telephone books, printer paper, copier paper, mail and all other office paper without wax liners
• Cardboard: packing boxes, cereal boxes, gift boxes and corrugated cardboard. Flatten boxes before placing in your cart
• Cans: steel and aluminum food & beverage cans; Aluminum bottles are also accepted
• Cartons: aseptic poly-coated drink boxes, juice cartons and milk cartons
• Bottles: (plastic & glass) - plastic bottles* milk, water, detergent, soda and shampoo (flatten and replace cap); glass bottles

Items need to be clean and free of food and debris to be accepted.

*Numbers on plastics are no longer useful indicators of recyclability. Miami-Dade County recycles plastic bottle containers regardless of the number listed.

What about those items not on the Simple 5 list? Consult the Recycle Right A to Z list for a more complete list of items. Also, many grocery retailers accept plastic bags, foam containers, meat trays, yogurt cups and egg cartons. When in doubt, throw it out with your regular trash. Trash and garbage is sent to the Miami-Dade County Resources Recovery Facility where waste is converted into energy that is used to power the plant and exported to the power grid.

When it comes to recycling in Miami-Dade County, follow the Simple 5 list and you will be doing your part for your community and the environment.