What is a recycling container?
If you're within the city's Solid Waste service area, you should have a recycling container in addition to your garbage collection barrel. If for some reason your home doesn't have one, simply call us at 850-891-4968 and we'll have one delivered to you. All paper, metal and plastic (except Styrofoam and plastic bags) can be combined in the container.

The recycling container, which can live right next to your garbage barrel, makes the decision to recycle a trouble-free option. Feed it often!

What is single-stream recycling?
Single-Stream isn’t anything complicated. It refers to a recycling process in which recyclable materials are collected all mixed together with no sorting required by the customer. Cans and bottles can be recycled together with newspaper, cardboard, etc. Once collected, the recyclables will be taken to a Marpan Recycle Center and separated. The same guidelines apply as they have previously except now you can place all recyclable items together in your recycle bin.

Will the day that my recycle barrel is emptied change?

No. The service schedule for recycling will stay the same.

What are the advantages to single stream?
By eliminating sorting, recycling becomes easier and increases participation and recovery rates. In many communities, recycling has increased 30% or more by switching to single-stream recycling. This method also reduces collection costs because haulers can use single compartment trucks that can be compacted as opposed to specialized multi compartment vehicles that are more costly to operate. Over time, this greatly reduces the cost required to collect the material.

How are the materials separated?

The City of Tallahassee recently contracted with Marpan Recycling Center. They have installed new sorting equipment to automatically sort the single stream materials collected. With the new equipment, there are screens and rollers to separate the material correctly.

What exactly can I put into my single-stream recycling container?

• Newspapers/ brown paper bags
• Magazines/catalogs
• Telephone/soft cover books
• Junk mail/envelopes (all types)
• Paper
• Paperboard (cereal/tissue boxes)
• Cardboard
• Glass bottles/jars (any color)
• Metal cans (tin/steel/aluminum)
• Plastic food and beverage containers
• Small plastic buckets (up to 3 gallon)
• Butter tubs, sour cream containers, and margarine tubs
• Yogurt containers, cottage cheese containers

If you have a question about whether a product can be included, please call 850-891-4968 for more information.

Should I put recyclables into bags then into my single-stream recycling container?
No, there is no need to place recyclables into bags before putting them into the cart. In fact, that will cause problems at the recycle processor. The recyclables should be loosely placed in the recycling container. 

Are plastic bags recyclable in the City’s Program?
No.  Plastic bags, plastic wrap, and other plastic “film” are not recyclable.  Do not put your paper or containers in plastic bags prior to recycling.  Plastic bags are a serious contaminant and litter problem at the recycling facility.  Check with your grocery store to see if they accept clean grocery bags for recycling and if so, what their guidelines are.  If they don’t accept them, ask them to begin a recycling program.

Can I recycle Styrofoam?
No. Styrofoam is a brand name for the material made from a type of plastic called polystyrene. Polystyrene is not recyclable in the City’s recycling program. Private shipping companies such as FEDEX and UPS will gladly take your Styrofoam.

What do I have to do in order to prepare recyclable items?
It is desirable to prepare items correctly before placing them in recycling bins. 

This means:

• Flatten boxes. This saves space and lowers the operating costs for the program.
• Clean out obvious food  or drink residue.