SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – In Seminole County, Recycling Program Coordinator Adeemir Dacenay wants residents to remember that not everything belongs in the recycling bin, even if it seems recyclable at first glance.
“Cardboard is something that’s 100% recyclable, but items like greasy pizza boxes should go in the trash instead,” Dacenay explained.
Even common items like shopping bags don’t go curbside.
“Plastic bags and other type-four plastics, like those from grocery stores, should stay out of the curbside bins,” he added.
Ahead of National Recycling Day on Nov. 15, Dacenay offered more guidance on responsible recycling and shared tips on handling household waste — including leftover cooking oil from holiday meals.
“At our Transfer Station, we have a hazardous waste tunnel where you can bring electronics and used cooking oil, especially around Thanksgiving,” he said.
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Last year, Seminole County collected around 19,000 tons of recycled waste, and they’re eager to surpass that number this year.
“If we were to stop recycling today, research shows that we’d lose about four years of landfill airspace. However, increasing our recycling rate to 75% could extend airspace by up to 16 years,” Dacenay pointed out.
The county has also applied for a $5 million federal grant to create a dedicated recycling education center. This facility would teach residents not only how to recycle but also how to repurpose items, like upcycling clothing and furniture.
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