America Recycles Day falls on November 15. For folks in Orlando and Daytona Beach, this week is a great moment to check recycling habits. This guide shows what goes in your cart in each county, where to drop special items, and how to make the process easy. Use it to recycle right and reduce waste at home.
Recycling Rules in Orlando: What Goes in Your Cart
If you live in the Orlando area , you can place the following in your blue‑lid cart: • Plastic bottles/tubs coded #1‑#5
- Glass bottles and jars empty and clean
- Metal cans (aluminum or steel)
- Flatten cardboard boxes
- Clean paper including mail, magazines, newspapers
Do not place in your cart
- Plastic bags or wrapping (they jam the sorting machine)
- Foam packaging (polystyrene)
- Greasy pizza or food boxes
- Cords, wires, hoses (“tanglers”)
Daytona Beach Recycling: Rules and Drop-Off Locations
In the Daytona Beach area, you can place:
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Plastic bottles/tubs (usually #1–2)
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Glass bottles and jars ( caps removed)
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Metal cans ( empty and clean)
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Cardboard ( broken down)
- Clean paper
You cannot place in your bin
Plastic bags, foam, large appliances, chemicals, electronics
Bins must sit by the curb by 6 a.m. If your apartment building lacks service, use a county drop‑off site.
Find What goes Where 
HHW Disposal: Electronics and Hazardous Waste
Proper HHW disposal protects workers and the environment. Orange County Utilities offers safe disposal options free of charge at community collection events and county drop-off locations (Orange County HHW info).
Product labels can tip you off to potential hazards. Look for words like Pesticide, Warning, Caustic, Poison, Acid, Danger, or Flammable.
Common HHW items include:
- Paint products
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Pesticides
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Propane tanks
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Cooking oil
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Fluorescent lightbulbs
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Car fluids
- Rechargeable batteries: Cover all lithium battery terminals with tape and separate them from other batteries. Find convenient battery disposal locations via Call2Recycle Locator
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Household cleaning fluids
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Pool chemicals
- How to Dispose of Electronics
Do not put electronics in your blue-lid recycling cart. Electronic equipment can be dropped off at HHW collection sites and events. An item is considered electronic waste if it contains a circuit board. Examples include:
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Cell phones
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Computers
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Tablets
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Televisions (Dispose of via large-item curbside pickup – Residential Curbside Collection Program)
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VCRs
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CD players
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Stereos
Many local retailers offer electronics recycling. Search for locations by equipment type at Earth911.
How to Recycle Medications
Do not flush unwanted or expired medications. Instead, bring them to Orange County prescription drug drop-off locations (EcoMap). You can also safely dispose of them following federal guidelines:
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Remove prescription drugs from original containers.
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Mix them with an undesirable substance like cat litter, dirt, or used coffee grounds.
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Place the mixture and empty drug containers in a sealable container (e.g., margarine tub or zip bag).
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Remove or conceal personal info from containers (scratch off Rx number or cover with permanent marker).
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Place the sealed container in the trash.
Don’t Release Freon Into the Atmosphere
When replacing an air conditioner, freezer, or refrigerator, have the delivery company remove your old appliance. Freon-containing appliances are not picked up curbside.
Orange County residents may bring these devices to the Orange County Landfill during operating hours for a minimum charge of $9.00.
Volusia County HHW & Electronics
Residents in Daytona Beach and Volusia County can bring HHW and electronics to the Volusia County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Call ahead for hours and entry requirements.
Pickup schedules and holiday changes
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Both counties let you check your exact collection day online.
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In Orange County set your cart out by 6 a.m. and you may put it out no earlier than 6 p.m. the evening before.
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In Volusia County, for example during Thanksgiving week the Thursday route may move to Saturday.
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Weather may delay pickup. Check your county alert page when storms appear.
Check your pickup day
This tool helps you avoid missed pickups and fines.
Map & directions to major drop-off sites
Orange County main facility
Solid Waste Division 5901 Young Pine Road Orlando, FL 32829
Volusia County main facility
1990 Tomoka Farms Road Port Orange, FL 32014 Volusia County
Check hours before you go.
Final Words
Recycling works when you follow clear rules and stay consistent. Use the right cart, keep items clean, and drop off special materials properly. These simple steps help your county, help your community, and reduce waste.
If you’re exploring neighborhoods that prioritize clean, well-managed living environments, take a look at Gray Hawk,one of the featured communities at CFB Homes ,a place designed for families who value organized, sustainable, and community-focused living.
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