Tampa Republic

"Tampa Celebrates Global Recycling Day with a myth-busting campaign and a sneak peek of the Waste Management Recycling Plant," as reported by the Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management. The city of Tampa collects over 34 million pounds of recyclables annually, enough to fill eight Olympic-sized pools. In January 2023, a record of approximately 3.7 million tons of recyclables was collected in one month.

Larry Washington, Director of Tampa's Solid Waste Department, emphasized the importance of recycling right, stating, "We need [residents'] participation to keep the program running successfully." All recyclables collected in Tampa are processed by the current recycling contractor, Waste Management.

Residents are encouraged to prepare their recyclables properly by ensuring they are larger than the size of a fist, rinsed, empty, and dry. It is important to only refer to the accepted items listed and not use the plastic resin number as a guide for recycling. Recyclables should be taken to the cart free and loose, not bagged, and the cart should be placed at the curb with a 3-foot clearance on all sides before pickup day.

For more information on Tampa's recycling program and what can be recycled in the area, residents can visit tampabayrecycles.org or tampa.gov/recycle. The City of Tampa also offers a Trash and Recycling app for further details on recycling guidelines in the area.