Community Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Welcome to the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) of Broward County’s Community FAQs page, where you’ll find answers to common questions about solid waste and recycling. Explore the Community FAQs page to learn answers to common questions we get about waste management and recycling in our community.
What does "wishcycling" mean?
“Wishcycling” is when someone puts something in the recycling bin and hopes that it will be recycled even though it is not recyclable. While the intention is a good one, putting non-recyclable items into the bin can cause problems like contaminating an entire load of recycling, slowing down recycling centers to remove these items, increasing the cost of recycling to sort more items, and increased landfilling due to high levels of mixing in wrong stuff.
What are some common items that people "wishcycle" that should be placed in the trash bin?
Common items that are “wishcycled” include:
– Greasy pizza boxes
– Plastic utensils or Styrofoam
– Toys
– Clothing and textiles like sheets and towels (when possible, donate these items to a local charity or repurpose them)
– Electronics, batteries, small appliances, irons and ironing boards (these items need special drop-off to prevent fires, toxic pollution, or recycling machine damage and will contaminate the bin)
– Plastic grocery bags (these items will be rejected and landfilled)
What happens to contaminated recycling loads?
If your recyclables are dirty, wet, or mixed with trash, they‚ are likely to be contaminated.
If the wrong items are found in your recycling bin, your recycling might not be picked up at the curb. If it’s discovered at the recycling facility and the entire truckload is considered heavily contaminated, the whole load might get sent to the the landfill. Contaminated loads are less valuable to the recycling facility and cost them a lot more to process. This financially harms recycling programs.
How do I ensure my recycling is not contaminated?
Just follow some simple rules to avoid mixing in the wrong items:
– Rinse your containers (they don’t have to be spotless, just no chunks or liquids)
– Keep all recycled items dry
– Only put the exact allowed items in the bin according to your city’s guidelines
– Do not bag your recycling (unless specifically instructed to do so by your city)
What happens to recycled glass? Is there a market for this material?
Recycled Glass is collected and sorted by color (clear, green, brown) at recycling facilities. It is then crushed into small pieces and cleaned to remove impurities like labels, plastics, or metals. The clean material can be melted down and formed into new glass products.
The demand for glass is generally regional and can be strong where there are glass plants nearby. Glass is not as profitable as aluminum or cardboard, but it can be recycled endlessly without losing quality, making it a sustainable option when the infrastructure supports it.
What happens to plastic bags and Styrofoam?
Plastic bags and Styrofoam (polystyrene) are not recyclable in your home recycling program. They contaminate recycling loads and jam up sorting machines at recycling facilities.
Many grocery stores and big box retailers do have drop-off recycling collection bins for plastic bags and other soft plastics (bread bags, dry cleaning wrap, etc.).
Recycled plastic bags can become plastic lumber, park benches, and new plastic bags, but that depends on local facilities being available to process these items into new items and contamination levels being less than .05%. The reality is that most plastic bags get sent to the landfil.
Transporting and densifying or melting down Styrofoam (polystyrene) for bulk purchase is expensive, so buyers are limited. This material generally gets sent to the landfil.
I don't know how to get rid of certain items like electronics, paint, aerosol cans, chemicals, etc. Where can I find that information?
Properly disposing of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) like electronics, paint, chemicals, and aerosol cans is important for protecting both the environment and your local recycling system.
You can usually find household hazardous waste disposal information on your city’s website or by calling your city hall.
Broward County and certain cities host household hazardous waste drop-off events where residents can bring paint, cleaning chemicals, electronics (TVs, computers, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, propane tanks, and more. Check with your city to learn more!
What percentage of city recycling pickups is actually recycled?
Contamination is a significant factor affecting recycling efficiency in Broward County. The 2023 Waste Characterization Study found that approximately 32.7% of items placed in recycling carts are non-recyclable contaminants, such as food-soiled items, plastic bags, and yard waste.
One goal of our Master Plan is to make sure each city is recycling the same way. This will make it easier for residents, businesses, and visitors to recycle correctly regardless of what city or town they are in.
We will also help educate everyone on how to recycle correctly. This will reduce the number of items that mistakenly end up in recycling carts, and increase the percentage of items successfully recycled.
Are there in-depth studies available that analyze the current solid waste and recycling issues in Broward County?
Yes, there are several comprehensive studies and reports that analyze the current solid waste and recycling issues in Broward County.
2023 Waste Generation Study
This report examines waste generation rates across various sectors in Broward County. It provides a foundation for planning long-term, sustainable waste management solutions.
Click here to read the 2023 Waste Generation Study
White Papers
We have published several white papers on our website that cover various topics including regulatory requirements, current disposal and recycling processes, outreach and education best practices, innovative technologies, and financial considerations.
Click here to read our White Papers
2020 Solid Waste Management Report
This report presents data on the county’s waste management practices, including recycling rates, landfill usage, and waste-to-energy processes. It serves as a benchmark for assessing progress and identifying areas for improvement.
How can I get a replacement garbage or recycling bin or a different bin size?
The Authority does not manage collection. Please contact your local waste management provider or city to get a replacement bin or different size bin.
What is "waste diversion"?
“Waste diversion” means that your household, your community and your local businesses make an effort to divert or remove waste from landfills and incinerators to reduce the environmental impacts of our collective “trash.”
What can I do to help reduce the amount of waste generated?
There are many ways to divert items from our landfills and incinerators that still have a lot of value. Reusing, repurposing, and recycling are at the top of the list.
– Plastic bags, plastic film, bubble wrap, air pillows, case wrap: Most grocery stores will recycle valuable #2 (High-Density Polyethylene HDPE) or #4 (Low-Density Polyethylene LDPE) plastic bags.
– Electronics (e-waste): Best Buy, Staples, or local e-waste events often take them (search online for a list of acceptable items and call ahead to confirm).
– Batteries: Search online for designated drop-off points locally.
– Light bulbs: Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and LEDs can be taken to places like Home Depot or Lowes to be recycled (call ahead to confirm).
– Textiles (clothing, sheets, towels, etc.): Used, torn or stained clothing or textiles can go to textile recycling (e.g., H&M’s Garment Collecting program or search online for designated drop-off points locally). You can also donate or sell used clothing in good condition.
Other diversion methods include repurposing items for another use or upcycling them into artistic creations. Don’t forget schools, animal shelters, and art programs might take certain items for projects or reuse. Just ask what they need!
Check in with local nonprofits to see what items they are in need of, some will pick up used furniture, clothes, and appliances.
Lastly, don’t forget about composting your food scraps and yard waste. You can start a backyard compost bin for food scraps, paper towels, and yard waste, use a Bokashi bin or worm bin if space is limited, or go to your city’s compost drop-off site. Remember, diverting organic matter from the landfill is extremely effective in reducing methane gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States (EPA, 2022 – https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas).