Does Highlands County have a way to recycle Glass? YES.  This newest addition to our recycling program began in March of 2009. All colors (clear, brown, and green/amber) of glass food and drink containers. Pyrex baking ware, plates, drinking glasses, window panes and mirrors are acceptable for recycling.

What about pottery and other types of glass? No, Pottery along with vehicle windshields, causes a contamination factor and should be discarded by other means. Please contact the Highlands County Recycling office for any questionable items that are not addressed in this brochure.

Should the containers be rinsed? Yes , please rinse the container and recycle all metal lids with the steel and aluminum cans. Discard all other types of lids such as bottle caps or corks.

What about labels? Labels may be left on the food or drink containers.

What types of plastic can I recycle? The Highlands County program takes plastic bottles only.  When you purchase something that is containerized in plastic bottles you can recycle it.  Good examples of plastic blottles that can be recycled are: Milk, water, soda/soft drink and juice bottles; detergent, bleach or cleaning solvents; condiment plastic bottles (mustard, ketchup, jelly).

Can I recycle plastic bags or styrofoam? These items should be recycled at your local grocery store.   The County’s recycling program does not include this type of plastic

Paper grocery bags cam be recycled with cardboard and phone books at your local drop-off location.

Do all advertisement inserts have to be removed before I recycle newspaper? NO.  As long as the inserts come in the newspapers, they are okay to recycle.

Can magazines or catalogs be recycled in the newspaper container? Yes, Alll papers EXCEPT cardboard, phone books and plastic window envelopes can be recycle in the large green container labeled "ALL PAPER".

Can cardboard and Phone Books be recycled? YES.  Please deposit flattened cardboard along with your phone books in the white container labeled “Cardboard and Phone Books Only” at your nearest drop-off location.  These items must be recycled separate from newspaper, office paper and junk mail.

Can I also recycle office paper and junk mail? YES.   Please deposit this items in the large green recycling bin labeled " ALL PAPER". No plastic window envelops please.

What about phone book recycling? Highlands County has a special phone book recycling project during mid November and December of each year. But phone books can be recycled at all times and should be recycled with carboard in the recycling containers labeled "CARDBOARD AND PHONE BOOKS ONLY".

What about steel can  recycling? Steel cans such as vegetable, soup, various food and coffee cans can be mixed in with aluminum cans and placed in the compartment marked “Steel/Aluminum Cans” at the recycling container in your area.

Can I recycle aerosol cans? YES.  As long as the cans are completely empty of contents and the plastic spray nozzle removed.  These types of cans can be recycled in the same way as the food cans.

Some final recycling tips: Please rinse all plastic bottles, steel and aluminum cans when emptied and before you recycle them.  Rinsing helps to control roaches in your home and in the recycling containers. Don’t create an extra trip to recycle.  Try to plan your time and save gas by adding recycling to your already scheduled list of errands.  Many convenient voluntary drop-off sites are available at shopping plazas, malls and grocery stores, along with some in your local neighborhood. As you recycle, you are not only helping the environment by reducing the use of our natural resources, but you are also helping to generate revenue for funding the recycling program.