Solid Waste BytheNumbers

• Household trash up 8 percent

• Yard waste up 14 percent

Residentially, homeowners in unincorporated Monroe County will pay $446 in 2023 for garbage, yard waste, and recycling collection. The fee can be found on your property tax bill.

• Total Unincorporated Monroe County tonnage for 2022 was 88,394 tons

Recycling Reminders

The recycling center accepts #1-5 plastics. An easy way to remember what plastic can be recycled is the “if the neck is smaller than the body, it can be recycled” rule. Milk jugs, water bottles, and bath products all fall within this. Red Solo cups do not. And, always remember to remove the lid, which can also be recycled.

According to a municipal solid waste report, only 1 out of 3 plastic water bottles make it to a recycling center. Tin, aluminum, cartons, cardboard, and newspaper are always accepted.

Reminders of things that CANNOT be recycled include plastic grocery bags (can be brought back to the grocery store), food waste, Styrofoam, furniture (even plastic outdoor furniture), toys, plastic planter containers (can be returned to garden store), garden hoses, hangers, electric wires, sporting goods, clothing, pots and pans, yard waste, hazardous materials and chemicals, and propane tanks, especially the small Coleman camping tanks. Remembering the things that cannot be recycled is extremely important because if more than 10 percent of the recycling is contaminated, it goes to the landfill instead!

LOOKING FOR FREE MULCH?

Monroe County’s yard waste contractor will offer free compost (nutrient-rich black dirt) to the residents of unincorporated Monroe County and the cities of Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Islamorada, and Layton at the County’s three transfer stations on the dates below from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until it is gone. Residents can fill one 32-gallon trash can or six 5-gallon buckets with compost. Proof of residency is required in the form of a driver’s license, utility bill, tax bill, etc. Residents are limited to one pick-up per household. You must bring your own shovel and be able to load the containers on your own or bring someone to assist you.

Dates:

• Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023

• Saturday, March 4, 2023

• Saturday, April 1, 2023

Other dates may become available - visit the website for more details.

Monroe County’s transfer station locations:

• Cudjoe Key, MM 21.5, Blimp Rd.

• Long Key, MM 68

• Key Largo, 1100 County Rd. 905

MM 91 TO COUNTY LINE

Keys Sanitary Services

305.451.2025

Key Largo Transfer Station: 11100 County Rd. 905 305.367.4236

7 MILE BRIDGE TO MM 72.5

Marathon Garbage Service

305.743.5165 office@marathongarbageservice.com

Long Key Transfer Station: MM 68 Overseas Hwy. 305.664.2263

Marathon | Long Key | Craig Key

ISLAMORADA (MM 72.5 – 91)

Waste Management

305.853.3433