Florida Waste Management Guide 2025

Florida Waste Management Industry Overview

Florida generates approximately 36 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, serving a population of 22.6 million residents plus 140+ million annual tourists. The state operates 50+ active landfills, 50+ waste-to-energy facilities (most in the nation), and extensive recycling infrastructure.

State Waste Laws & Regulations

Florida delegates significant authority to counties while maintaining state-level goals:

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP): Primary regulatory agency. Permits facilities, enforces regulations, tracks diversion rates.
• 75% Recycling Goal: Florida Statute 403.706 sets 75% diversion goal. Currently achieving 49% statewide (2022 data). No penalties for missing targets.
• County Authority: Counties develop comprehensive waste management plans. Can mandate commercial/multi-family recycling. Franchise haulers or manage collection.
• Waste-to-Energy Priority: Florida has 11 WTE facilities processing 25% of state waste. Second only to refuse-derived fuel in diversion calculations.
• Advance Disposal Fees: $3 per new tire, $0.50 per lead-acid battery sold. Funds recycling and disposal programs.
• Hazardous Waste Ban: Universal waste (batteries, electronics, mercury devices) banned from MSW landfills since 2000.

Cost Analysis

Florida waste costs are moderate, with variations driven by tourism impact, hurricane debris expenses, and county-specific programs. South Florida and coastal areas 20-35% higher than inland regions.

Regional Cost Factors

• South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach): $48-$65/month residential. High density, tourism, aggressive recycling programs. Franchise agreements common.
• Central Florida (Orlando, Tampa): $40-$52/month. Tourism infrastructure, growing population. Mix of municipal and private services.
• Northeast Florida (Jacksonville): $35-$48/month. Competitive markets, lower density. City provides much of residential service.
• Southwest Gulf Coast (Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota): $42-$58/month. Retirement communities, seasonal populations, higher service expectations.
• Panhandle (Tallahassee, Pensacola, Panama City): $32-$45/month. Lower costs, less tourism impact, hurricane recovery expenses periodic.
• Rural Counties: $28-$40/month. Limited services, transfer station systems, basic recycling infrastructure.

Major Waste Service Providers

Florida's waste industry combines national companies with strong municipal and county programs:

National Haulers

• Waste Management (WM): Largest Florida operator. Serves 2M+ customers. Operates multiple landfills, WTE facilities, MRFs. Strong presence in South Florida, Central Florida.
• Republic Services: Extensive statewide operations. Serves 1.5M+ Florida customers. Major presence in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville regions.
• Waste Pro: Fast-growing regional hauler. Headquartered in Florida (Longwood). Serves 1M+ customers across state. Known for automated collection.
• Progressive Waste Solutions (now Waste Connections): Operates in Florida through acquisitions. Serves suburbs and smaller cities.
• Advanced Disposal (Republic since 2020): Operates landfills and collection routes acquired by Republic.

Municipal/County Services

• Miami-Dade Solid Waste Management: County manages collection for unincorporated areas. Resources Recovery/Waste-to-Energy facility.
• City of Jacksonville: Solid Waste Division serves most city residents. Curbside trash, recycling, yard waste.
• Broward County Solid Waste & Recycling: Operates transfer stations, HHW facilities. Cities franchise haulers.
• Orange County (Orlando): Manages transfer stations and landfills. Cities provide collection or franchise.

Recycling Programs

Curbside Recycling

Most Florida counties offer curbside recycling (participation 85%+):

• Single-Stream: Dominant system. All recyclables in one cart. Reduces participation barriers.
• Collection Frequency: Weekly or bi-weekly depending on jurisdiction. Often same day as trash or alternating weeks.
• Cart Colors: Blue or green carts typical. Some counties use yellow. Not standardized statewide.
• Mandatory Participation: Many counties require property owners to subscribe to recycling service (may be bundled with trash).

Commonly Accepted Recyclables

• Paper/Cardboard: Newspapers, junk mail, office paper, magazines, cardboard boxes (flattened), paperboard.
• Containers: Plastic bottles/jugs (#1-7 varies by county), glass bottles/jars, aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, cartons.
• NOT Accepted: Plastic bags (return to stores - major contamination issue), Styrofoam, food waste, clothing, electronics, batteries, hazardous materials.

County Drop-off Centers

• Miami-Dade: 18 drop-off centers countywide. Accept recyclables, e-waste, yard waste, HHW. (305) 514-6500.
• Broward: Recycling centers in multiple cities. Also accept e-waste and bulky items. Check BrowardRecycles.org.
• Palm Beach: Solid Waste Authority operates convenience centers. Recyclables, yard waste, bulky items. (561) 640-4000.
• Hillsborough (Tampa): Multiple recycling centers. Accepts wide range of materials. (813) 272-5680.

Yard Waste Collection

Florida's year-round growing season generates massive yard waste volumes (40% of residential waste):

• Year-Round Collection: Most cities offer weekly or bi-weekly yard waste pickup. Essential due to climate.
• Separate Collection: Yard waste collected separately from trash. Set out at curb on designated day.
• Container Requirements: Some areas require containers. Others accept loose piles or bundles. Check local rules.
• Accepted Materials: Grass clippings, leaves, branches (diameter limits vary), palm fronds, plants, flowers, sod.
• Processing: Ground into mulch or compost. Many counties offer free mulch to residents at facilities.
• Hurricane Debris: Special collection protocols after storms. Separate vegetative debris from C&D debris.

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Florida counties operate extensive HHW collection programs due to large population:

Permanent Collection Facilities

• Miami-Dade (5 locations): Doral, Homestead, North Dade, South Dade, West Dade facilities. Open weekends. Free for residents. (305) 514-6500.
• Broward: Multiple permanent sites and mobile events. Check calendar at Broward.org/Recycling. (954) 357-8400.
• Palm Beach: Household Hazardous Waste Facility in West Palm Beach. Open Fri-Mon. (561) 640-4000.
• Orange County (Orlando, 3 locations): East, North, South facilities. Open weekends. (407) 836-4145.
• Hillsborough (Tampa area): County facilities accept HHW weekends. (813) 272-5680.
• Duval (Jacksonville): Environmental Services Recycle & Hazardous Waste facility. Open Fri-Sat. (904) 255-7800.

Mobile Collection Events

Many counties supplement permanent facilities with mobile events in underserved areas. Check county solid waste department websites for schedules.

Commonly Accepted HHW Items

• Paint, solvents, thinners, stains
• Household cleaners, pesticides, herbicides
• Motor oil, antifreeze, car batteries
• Fluorescent bulbs, CFLs, mercury devices
• Batteries (all types)
• Electronics, computers, TVs
• Medications and sharps (needles)
• Propane tanks, pool chemicals

E-Waste & Electronics Recycling

Florida banned electronics from landfills (covered devices) and supports free recycling:

• County HHW Facilities: All major counties accept e-waste free for residents.
• Covered Devices: Computers, monitors, TVs, printers, keyboards, mice, laptops, tablets, phones.
• Retailer Take-Back: Best Buy accepts electronics ($30 fee for large TVs/appliances). Staples accepts smaller items free.
• Manufacturer Programs: Dell, HP, Apple, Samsung offer mail-back or trade-in programs.
• Certified Recyclers: Use e-Stewards or R2 certified recyclers. Ensure data destruction and responsible processing.
• Scrap Electronics Value: Some recyclers pay for copper-rich electronics. Computer towers, power supplies have scrap value.

Bulky Item Collection

Most Florida cities offer bulky waste pickup programs:

• Miami: Monthly bulky waste pickup by zones. Set out day before scheduled collection. Free for residents.
• Tampa: Twice monthly large item pickup. Separate furniture/appliances from yard waste. (813) 348-1111.
• Orlando: Weekly large item pickup with advance notice. Up to 2 cubic yards. Call (407) 246-2314.
• Jacksonville: Twice monthly bulky waste collection. Scheduled with regular trash days. (904) 630-CITY.
• St. Petersburg: Weekly large item pickup (separate day from regular trash). (727) 893-7398.

Appliance Disposal

• Most cities collect refrigerators, freezers, AC units with regular bulky waste
• Refrigerant must be recovered by certified technician (federal law)
• Many haulers/counties require scheduling appliance pickup in advance
• Some areas charge $25-$50 fee for appliances
• Scrap metal recyclers may pay for large appliances

Hurricane Debris Management

Florida's hurricane exposure requires specialized debris protocols:

Post-Storm Collection Procedures

• Separate Debris Types: Create 3 piles at curb: (1) Vegetative debris (trees, branches, plants), (2) C&D debris (roofing, siding, drywall), (3) White goods (appliances). Mixing delays collection.
• Right-of-Way Only: Place debris on public right-of-way (between sidewalk and street). Never block roads, mailboxes, fire hydrants.
• No Bagging/Bundling: Leave debris loose for mechanical collection. Do not put in bags/containers.
• Avoid Contamination: No hazardous waste, batteries, propane tanks, garbage in debris piles. Causes delays and hazards.
• Collection Timeline: May take weeks or months after major storms. Cities make multiple passes. Check local hotlines for updates.
• Private Property: FEMA-funded collection typically covers public right-of-way only. Hire private contractors for on-property removal.

Hurricane Preparation

• Secure trash cans before storms (projectile hazard)
• Delay collection may cause missed pickups during storms
• Stock up on contractor bags for post-storm cleanup
• Know your zone's vegetative vs. C&D collection schedule
• Save receipts if hiring private contractors (may be FEMA reimbursable)

Commercial Waste Services

Commercial Recycling Requirements

Requirements vary by county:

• Miami-Dade County: Commercial properties must recycle. County ordinance requires recycling service.
• Orange County (Orlando): Businesses generating 4+ cubic yards/week must recycle. County tracks compliance.
• Hillsborough County (Tampa): Large businesses and multi-family required to recycle.
• Other Counties: Check with county solid waste department. Voluntary in many areas.

Commercial Service Costs

• 2-yard Bin: $150-$300/month (1-2x/week service)
• 4-yard Bin: $280-$520/month (2-3x/week service)
• 6-yard Bin: $400-$720/month (3-5x/week service)
• 8-yard Bin: $520-$950/month (3-6x/week service)
• Compactor Service: $800-$2,000/month depending on size and frequency
• Recycling: Often 20-40% lower than trash to incentivize diversion

Construction & Demolition (C&D) Debris

Florida generates massive C&D volumes due to construction boom and hurricane damage:

• C&D Landfills: 140+ dedicated C&D landfills statewide. Accept only construction debris (wood, drywall, concrete, roofing, metals).
• No State Diversion Mandate: Florida does not require C&D recycling rates. Voluntary diversion for cost savings.
• Materials Recovered: Concrete crushed for aggregate. Metals scrapped. Wood chipped for mulch/fuel. Drywall, asphalt roofing recycled in some areas.
• Disposal Costs: $35-$75/ton at C&D landfills (lower than MSW landfills). Some facilities charge by volume vs. weight.
• Hurricane Debris: FEMA-funded collection separates C&D from vegetative. County manages collection. Private contractors handle property cleanout.

Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Facilities

Florida leads the nation in waste-to-energy capacity (11 facilities processing 6.7M tons/year):

• Miami-Dade Resources Recovery: One of largest in U.S. Processes 4,000 tons/day. Generates 80 megawatts.
• Broward County South Facility: Processes 2,250 tons/day. Provides power to 60,000 homes.
• Hillsborough County WTE: Handles Tampa area waste. 1,200 tons/day capacity.
• Lee County (Fort Myers): 3,150 tons/day capacity. Largest in Florida. Powers 45,000 homes.
• Pinellas County (St. Petersburg): Processes 3,150 tons/day. Major energy producer for county.

WTE facilities count toward Florida's 75% diversion goal. Reduces landfill need but controversial due to emissions concerns. Florida views WTE as beneficial alternative to landfilling.

Finding Local Services

How to Identify Your Provider

• County Websites: Start with county solid waste department website. Find franchised haulers, service areas, regulations.
• City Services: Many cities provide collection or franchise exclusive haulers. Check city website or call city hall.
• HOAs: Homeowner/condo associations often contract haulers. Check HOA documents for requirements and provider info.
• FDEP Database: Search permitted haulers and facilities at FloridaDEP.gov

Service Complaints

• City/County Hotlines: Miami-Dade 311, Jacksonville (904) 630-CITY, Orlando (407) 246-4444, Tampa (813) 274-8211
• FDEP Complaints: Report illegal dumping, unpermitted facilities, environmental violations via (850) 245-2118
• Franchise Violations: Contact city/county solid waste department if franchised hauler misses pickups or violates agreement

Key Resources

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP): State regulatory agency. Facility permits, regulations, data. FloridaDEP.gov/waste | (850) 245-2118
• Keep Florida Beautiful: Litter prevention, beautification programs. KeepFloridaBeautiful.org
• County Solid Waste Departments: Primary point of contact. Google "[County Name] Florida solid waste"
• Florida Recycling Partnership: Industry organization promoting recycling. FLRecycle.org
• Hurricane Debris Hotlines: Counties activate emergency hotlines post-storm. Check county emergency management websites.

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