Alachua County, FL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Source separation
- Required for commercial recyclables (§ 75.302(1))
- Contamination cap
- No more than 25% solid waste by weight/volume
- Multi-family recycling capacity
- 90 gallons per 20 dwelling units minimum
- Dealer certification
- FDEP certified recovered materials dealer required (§ 75.305)
- Code-cited example violation
- Failing to source-separate recyclables (§ 75.501)
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine / 60 days jail (§ 10.08)
Summary
Alachua County requires owners and tenants of commercial property to source-separate designated recyclables from solid waste and keep contamination under 25 percent, while commercially-collected residential properties must supply at least 90 gallons of recycling capacity for every 20 dwelling units.
(1) An owner of commercial property shall provide for the disposal of solid waste and proper recycling of recyclable material generated on such property at a solid waste management facility either by entering into an agreement with a contractor or permit holder or by other lawful means. The owner and the tenant of commercial property shall provide for the "source-separation" of the designated recyclable materials from its solid waste. The owner and tenant of industrial property shall also provide for the source-separation of metals and packaging materials. ... Every property owner shall ensure that all recovered materials shall be placed in a recycling container and to minimize contaminating the recovered materials with solid waste so that no more than 25 percent of the weight or volume in the recycling container is solid waste.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
302(1) requires an owner of commercial property to arrange proper recycling of recyclable material generated on the property, either through an agreement with a contractor, permit holder, or certified recycler, or by other lawful means. The owner and tenant must "source-separate" designated recyclable materials from solid waste, and industrial property owners and tenants must additionally source-separate metals and packaging materials. Every property owner must ensure recovered materials are placed in a recycling container and minimize contamination so that no more than 25 percent of the weight or volume in that container is solid waste.
302(2) requires owners of commercially collected residential property to run a recycling program convenient and accessible to residents, supplying recycling containers of at least 90 gallons of capacity for every 20 dwelling units, with adequacy disputes resolved by the county's solid waste department. 304(c) requires an owner of commercial or commercially-collected residential property to produce proof of a current contract with a contractor, permit holder, or certified recycler, or receipts showing delivery of recovered materials, on the county manager's request. 305.
Violations & Fines
Section 75.501 expressly identifies "persons failing to source separate recyclable material as provided in this chapter" as an example violation of Chapter 75, punishable as provided in Section 10.08, a fine of up to $500.00, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both, through the Chapter 24 code enforcement mechanism, with recovered fines accruing to the Department of Solid Waste and Resource Recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do commercial property owners have to recycle in unincorporated Alachua County?
How much solid waste can be mixed into a recycling container?
What recycling capacity must an apartment complex provide?
Who can legally haul away recyclables in the county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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