Recycle Right

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:

• Paper: clean and dry newspapers, magazines, catalogs, telephone books, printer paper, copier paper, mail and all other office paper without wax liners

• Cardboard: packing boxes, cereal boxes, pizza boxes, gift boxes and corrugated cardboard; Flatten all boxes before placing them in your cart

• Cans: steel and aluminum food and 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

• Plastic tubs and jugs: plastic tubs, such as butter or yogurt tubs, and  plastic jugs, such as milk or detergent jugs

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

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

What about those items not on the list? Consult the Recycle Right A-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 list and you will be doing your part for your community and the environment.