Recycling: Why It Matters and How It Helps

Recycling: Why It Matters and How It Helps

Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. It is an important part of protecting the environment and conserving natural resources.

When we recycle materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal, we reduce the need to extract raw materials from the Earth. For example, recycling paper helps save trees, and recycling aluminum cans reduces the need for mining new aluminum. This conserves energy and reduces pollution caused by manufacturing and transportation.

Recycling also helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. Landfills take up large areas of land and can release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. By recycling, we decrease the volume of waste and help protect air, water, and soil quality.

In addition to environmental benefits, recycling supports the economy by creating jobs in collection, processing, and manufacturing industries. It also encourages communities to become more responsible and environmentally aware.

Everyone can contribute to recycling efforts by:

• Separating recyclable materials from regular trash
• Rinsing containers before placing them in recycling bins
• Learning local recycling guidelines
• Reducing and reusing items whenever possible

Recycling is a simple yet powerful action that helps protect our planet for future generations. By making recycling a daily habit, we can all play a part in creating a cleaner and more sustainable world.

✅ Items You Can Put in the Surfside Recycling Bin

These are the materials accepted in the single-stream curbside recycling program — all go loose in the bin (not in plastic bags), clean and dry:

✔ Paper & Paperboard

• Newspapers, magazines, mail, office paper
• Paperboard boxes (cereal, gift, shoe boxes)
• Flattened corrugated cardboard

✔ Cardboard

• Large boxes — flatten before recycling

✔ Metal Cans

• Aluminum and steel food & beverage cans

✔ Bottles & Containers

• Plastic bottles and containers (milk jugs, water bottles, detergent, shampoo bottles)
• Glass bottles & jars
• Drink cartons (milk, juice boxes, aseptic cartons)

Tip: Items must be empty, clean, and dry to avoid contamination.

❌ Items You Should Not Put in the Recycling Bin

These items are not accepted and may cause contamination, equipment jams, or refusal of your recycling pickup:

✘ Plastics & Packaging Not Accepted

• Plastic bags and film (grocery bags, dry-cleaning bags)
• Styrofoam and foam products
• Plastic plates, utensils, cups not accepted

✘ Household Items

• Electronics and accessories (phones, cables, computers, TVs)
• Batteries of any kind
• Medical waste (syringes, sharps)
• Chemicals, paint, pesticides, aerosol cans
• Food waste or liquids
• Yard waste, tree branches, clippings

✘ Glass & Other Non-Approved Materials

• Window glass, mirrors, dishes or cookware
• Hangers, cords, hoses, toys, appliances

When in doubt: If it’s not one of the accepted items above, it should stay out of the recycling bin.