Recycling

Did you know we have an 8% contamination rate compared to other municipalities and cities which have a typical rate of 35-40%? Thank you for keeping the City Beautiful, beautiful!

Find Your Recycling Day
recycling bin

Recycling Guidelines

  • Do not place recycling outdoors until the night before your collection day.
  • Keep recyclables clean, dry, and empty.
  • Do not bag recyclable items—leave them loose in the recycling bins.
  • Flatten or deconstruct cardboard boxes, and place them by your recycling bin. Do not place cardboard in your trash pit.
  • In the event you have an excess amount of cardboard to discard, please call the Solid Waste Division and arrange a special pickup.
  • When in doubt, leave it out!
  • Christmas tree recycling, cardboard recycling drop-off and other holiday recycling tips.

Does the city provide recycling bins? 

Yes, the city provides residents with recycling bins. If there is no city recycle bin at the property, please create an online service request or call 305-460-5346 to request a bin. 

My recycling was not picked up; what can I do?

Create an online service request or call the Solid Waste Division at 305-460-5346.

  • Narrow neck plastic bottles and containers
    • Plastics (including plastic water bottles, plastic food tubs and containers, medicine bottles, and milk containers)
    • Pigmented plastics (shampoo bottles, detergent containers, clamshell containers, yogurt containers)
  • Paper (magazines, newspapers, mail envelopes, including those with windows)
  • Food and beverage glass (clear, green, and brown)
    • Take caps off if they have a plastic or rubber layer
  • Cardboard boxes (remember to break the box - labels and tape can stay)
  • Cereal boxes
  • Pizza boxes (only if they contain minimal grease and no food waste)
  • Aluminum Cans
  • Steel and tin cans (soup cans, dog/cat food cans, etc.)
  • Aseptic containers (juice containers, orange juice cartons, milk cartons, etc.).
  • Clean aluminum foil

REMEMBER

  • Wash bottles, cans, and containers before placing them in recycling bins
  • Leave caps on containers except those that have plastic or rubber
  • Remove food waste
  • Batteries (recycle at one of the city’s drop-off locations)
  • Plastic bags (use reusable bags. If not, return plastic bags to the merchant or throw them in the trash)
  • Food waste
  • Styrofoam
  • Garden hoses
  • Planter pots
  • Textiles/clothing
  • Christmas lights
  • Pots, pans, trays
  • Plastic chairs
  • Extension cords
  • Hangers
  • Propane tanks (camping or grill tanks)
  • Commercial or industrial glass (windows, mirrors, etc.)

REMEMBER

  • Don’t recycle household hazardous waste such as oil/gas containers, paint cans, or plastic bleach containers.
  • For common household hazardous waste items, electronics, or clothing, please bring them to the city’s bi-annual recycling drive-thru event that typically takes place in April and November in the city hall parking lot.
  • Unwanted or expired prescription drugs can be taken to the police and fire headquarters to be properly disposed of.

IF IN DOUBT, KEEP IT OUT!

Accepted Batteries:

  • Alkaline (AAA, AA, C, D)
  • Lithium & Lithium Ion
  • Nickel Cadmium & Nickel Metal (Rechargeable Batteries)
  • Silver Oxide & Silver Zinc
  • Automotive and Large Batteries are NOT ACCEPTED

Battery Recycling Locations

  • Development Services Center: 427 Biltmore Way
  • Police and Fire Headquarters: 2151 Salzedo St.
  • War Memorial Youth Center: 405 University Drive
  • Public Works Department: 2800 SW 72nd Ave.
  • Adult Activity Center: 2 Andalusia Ave.

For more information on the Battery Recycling Program please call 305-460-5008 or 305-569-1835

Upcoming Dates at City Hall Parking Lot (405 Biltmore Way) to be announced soon!

Drop off your old 14-gallon recycling bins, recycle your old electronics and large cardboard boxes, dispose of your household hazardous waste, shred your sensitive documents, and donate your lightly/gently used clothing. 

Items such as medical waste, styrofoam, ammunition, and tires will not be accepted at this event. Please note that due to the expected volume, attendees are limited to shredding up to five standard-sized office boxes (15"x12"x10") or one 13-gallon garbage bag per vehicle. 

Please be prepared to show proof of Coral Gables residency. Over the last 8 years, the city has collected and diverted nearly 533,000 pounds of electronic and hazardous waste, clothing and paper from entering the landfills.

Walk-ins and bicyclists are welcome. 

For more information on the event, please visit the event page or call 305-460-5008.

How to dispose outside of drive-thru event?

Outside of the event, for household hazardous waste items (electronics, unbroken CFL light bulbs, paint cans, pesticides, propane tanks, pool chemicals, etc.), residents are encouraged to take items to the Miami-Dade County Home Chemical Collection Centers at the following addresses:

The hours of operations for both locations are Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Recycle plastic film products such as plastic bags, plastic delivery envelopes, bread bags, bubble wrap and more. 

All plastics collected will be recycled through NexTrex which repurposes the recycled plastic film into benches, deck materials and outdoor furniture. 

NexTrex Plastic Film Recycling Bin Locations:

Please review before recycling the accepted and unaccepted items. 

For more information on the plastic film recycling, please visit the Keep Coral Gables Beautiful website or email sustainability@coralgables.com.