Alachua County Achieves Top Recycling Ranking in Florida
Alachua County has made significant strides in its recycling efforts, securing the fifth position among Florida’s 67 counties for recycling in 2024. This achievement reflects a continued commitment to environmental sustainability and waste management. According to the latest report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the county achieved an overall recycling rate of 67%, marking an improvement from its previous ranking of sixth place.
Palm Beach County maintained its position as the top performer in the state with a remarkable 90% recycling rate, followed by Collier, Lee, and Baker counties. These rankings highlight the varying levels of success across different regions in Florida, with Alachua County demonstrating consistent progress.
Under state law, all Florida counties are required to submit annual reports detailing their waste and recycling tonnages to the FDEP. This data is used to calculate both county-level and statewide recycling rates. In 2024, Alachua County reported that it recycled 201,872 tons of material while sending 260,758 tons of solid waste to landfills. This resulted in a traditional recycling rate of 44%.
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While landfilling remains a common practice, it is not considered a sustainable long-term solution. To address this challenge, Alachua County has partnered with the New River Regional Landfill, which offers an innovative approach to waste management. New River is the first landfill in Florida to convert landfill gas into pipeline-quality natural gas. This process involves injecting the generated gas directly into the Florida Gas Transmission pipeline. In 2024, the county sent 205,457 tons of waste to New River, producing the equivalent of 101,575 megawatt-hours of natural gas.
On an individual level, the average resident in Alachua County generated 3.97 pounds of landfilled garbage per day in 2024. This figure underscores the importance of personal responsibility in reducing waste and promoting recycling.
Alanna Carinio, the public information coordinator for Alachua County’s Solid Waste and Resource Recovery, emphasized the role of individuals in making a difference. “Reducing waste at the source or point of purchase—by avoiding disposable and over-packaged items, choosing reusable or secondhand goods, joining gift economy groups like Buy Nothing, and recycling accepted materials—are all great ways to make a personal impact,” she said.
The county ensures that all collected recyclables are sent exclusively to domestic mills within the United States. This practice supports American manufacturers by providing recycled feedstock for the production of steel, aluminum, and paper. It also helps reduce reliance on imports, offering protection against supply chain disruptions and import tariffs.
Residents have additional opportunities to recycle electronics, including TVs, computers, phones, and batteries, at the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. This initiative enables domestic mills to recover valuable metals and rare earth elements while preventing harmful pollutants from entering the environment.
For those interested in learning more about waste reduction and recycling efforts, there are numerous resources available. These include educational programs, community events, and online tools designed to promote sustainable practices.
Alachua County’s achievements in recycling demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and a proactive approach to managing waste. By continuing to invest in innovative solutions and encouraging individual participation, the county sets a positive example for other communities across the state.
