Recycling
Recyclables Being Redirected to Waste-to Energy Facility
Where is the recycling being taken?
All recyclables are being taken to the Wheelabator waste-to-energy facility where the material is incinerated and converted to electricity. The City will continue to receive recycling credits for material brought to this facility.
Why are the recyclables being redirected to waste-to-energy?
In recent years, processing recyclables has gone from generating a revenue to a significant cost. This rise in cost was brought about largely due to historically poor markets for the recyclable materials and historically high contamination rates. In this economic climate, increasing solid waste fees to continue recycling was not seen as an option.
What is Margate’s contamination rate and why is it an issue?
As of July 2020, the City of Margate’s contamination rate is approximately 44%. Contamination occurs when materials that are not specifically accepted in the recycling cart are placed into the recycling cart. For example, plastic bags, while technically recyclable, are not accepted in the curbside recycling program and are therefore considered contamination. Contamination increases the amount of labor, effort, and technology needed to process (sort) the material received at the recycling processing facility and also reduces the quality of the final product. The processing facility also then needs to pay to transport and dispose of the contamination that is left after processing. Thus the cost of processing is higher and the revenue received for the sale of the sorted recyclables is lower.
What is the financial impact of redirecting recyclables to waste-to-energy?
Over the 6-month period, April – September 2020, the average per ton cost to process recyclables was $87.50. The Fiscal Year 2021 per ton cost at the waste-to-energy facility is $46.57. Waste-to-energy will save an estimated $150,000 annually.
How will this affect my collection?
There will be no change to your collection days and you can continue to place your recyclables in your blue recycling cart.
Will I still be able to use the Waste Wizard?
Yes. The Waste Wizard helps identify how to properly dispose of all types of waste, not just recycling, and will continue to be available to assist you with making the proper disposal decisions.
Schedule
Residential curbside recycling is collected once per week including holidays (except Christmas day).
View Solid Waste and Recycling Map to determine your recycling collection day.
*Corrugated Cardboard (from non-food items) must be cut into sections no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet.
- Plastic bags
- Building debris
- Old electronics and accessories
- Household garbage
- Medical waste and pharmaceuticals
- Miscellaneous plastics (e.g. toys, plastic ware, etc.)
- Paint and pesticides
- Styrofoam (e.g. egg cartons, packing materials, etc.)
- Yard waste
Don't see your waste item here? Search for your item in the Waste Wizard at the top of the page to find out how to recycle or properly dispose of your waste.
- Recycling carts are 35 and 65 gallons.
- Residents are provided one recycling cart free of charge.
- Additional recycling carts may be purchased for a one-time nominal fee. Contact Republic Services online or by phone at 954-583-1830 to purchase additional carts.
- Residents may exchange their recycling cart for a different size by contacting Republic Services online or by phone at 954-583-1830.
- Rinse out containers and remove caps and straws.
- Place all of your recyclables directly into your blue recycling cart (no bags, please).
- Place your recycling cart curbside by 7 a.m. on your recycling day, but not earlier than 5:00 p.m. the evening before your recycling day.
- Place your recycling cart at the curb with the lid closed and the wheels and handle facing your home.
- Place your recycling cart at least three (3) feet away from other objects (i.e. mailbox, car, garbage cart, etc.).
- Remove your recycling cart within twelve (12) hours of collection.
What can you recycle? Every day we encounter hundreds of recyclable items. By recycling properly, you help materials get to their next best use, which in turn saves tons of raw materials, time, energy and expense. By working together, we can help educate and encourage communities to recycle right. Remember… when in doubt, throw it out!
Contact Republic Services
For all other inquiries about the City of Margate Recycling Program, contact the Department of Environmental and Engineering Services at 954-972-0828 or email recycle@margatefl.com.