The holidays are nearly here, and with them gifts, good times and… Garbage! Here is everything you need to know about changes in collection schedules, recycling common holiday items, and what to do with weird winter wastes.
Resolve to Recycle
Many of us celebrate the values we hold most dear at this time of year. Thank you for making Recycling Right a part of your holidays.
Many food and drink containers can be recycled in your Blue recycling bin, including:
- Plastic bottles and containers, except Styrofoam
- Aluminum, tin and steel cans
- Cartons, such as those for milk, juice boxes, chicken broth, etc.
- Glass bottles and jars
The Yellow recycling bin is the place for all fiber, including:
- Flattened cardboard boxes, including gift boxes
- Greeting cards and wrapping paper that have no ribbons, foil or other non-paper items
- Paperboard food boxes, cereal boxes and paper towel rolls
- Newspaper, office paper, junk mail, paperback books, magazines, etc.
Thank you for not placing these items in your Blue or Yellow recycling bins:
- Plastic bags, film or shrink wrap (they damage our recycling equipment)
- Gift bags, tissue paper, ribbons or bows (throw those in the trash)
- Disposable plates and silverware (the food stains make them not recyclable)
- Grease stained pizza boxes (throw those in the trash, but clean pizza boxes can go in the Yellow recycling bin)
- Napkins or paper towels
- Drink pouches
- Holiday lights (see more about those below)
For more information about Recycling Right, or to order new recycling bins, call 866-NEW-BINS (866-639-2467) or visit SWA.org/RecycleRight.
Recycling Electronics and Disposing of Home Chemicals
Upgrading electronics or cleaning out the garage? Residents can bring outdated devices and wastes such as holiday lights, used cooking oil, old paint, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries and automotive fluids and more to any of seven Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Home Chemical and Recycling Centers:
- Jupiter
North County Transfer Station
14185 Military Trail (SWA Road) in Jupiter
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. - West Palm Beach
Home Chemical and Recycling Center
6161 N. Jog Road in West Palm Beach
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Belle Glade
Glades Regional Transfer Station
1701 State Road 15 in Belle Glade
Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Royal Palm Beach
West Central Transfer Station
9743 Weisman Way (formerly Process Way) in Royal Palm Beach
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Lantana
Central County Transfer Station
1810 Lantana Road in Lantana
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Delray Beach – West
Southwest County Transfer Station
13400 S. State Road 7 in Delray Beach
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Delray Beach – East
South County Transfer Station
1901 SW 4th Ave. in Delray Beach
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
A full list of all of the items accepted in the SWA’s hazardous waste program is available online.
Tips for Other Items
- Unincorporated Palm Beach County residents can place their live Christmas tree curbside on the regular yard waste collection day. Remember to remove all decorations, lights and tinsel.
- Pre-lit and artificial trees should be discarded as trash.
- Plastic bags and film (like wrap on water bottle cases) can be recycled at most local supermarkets in special bins. Soiled bags and film should go in the trash.
- Styrofoam food trays and egg cartons can be recycled at most local supermarkets in special bins.
- Oversized and large volumes of flattened cardboard boxes may be recycled at any of the Home Chemical and Recycling Centers or at nearly 200 community drop-off locations.
- Holiday ornaments, decorative pieces, clothing and toys that are in good condition can be donated to a local nonprofit, church or shelter to be reused.
- Tree trimmings such as tinsel and garland should be discarded as trash.
- Excess trash can be taken to any of the SWA’s transfer stations or the North County Landfill during regular hours, but there is a nominal charge for disposal.
Remember, on Christmas Day (Sunday, Dec. 25), there will be no garbage service in unincorporated Palm Beach County and all SWA facilities will be closed. SWA Administration will be closed Dec. 23 and 26, but disposal facilities will be open and a limited number of Customer Service team members will be available to assist residents with any garbage or recyclable collection questions or concerns.
Much more information is available online at SWA.org. Residents can also contact SWA Customer Service with their questions or comments at 561-697-2700, toll-free at 866-SWA-INFO (866-792-4636) or email CIS. Happy Holidays!
