City Issues Update on Recycling Services

 

The City of Valdosta is continuing to implement safety measures for public works staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We have received feedback from many city residents suggesting the use of drop sites for recyclables. As we increase staffing in the public works department, drop sites have been installed at three locations around the city. Recycling services will resume on Thursday, April 30 utilizing ONLY the drop site locations. Curbside recycling pickup is still suspended. 

Recyclables can be placed at one of the following drop sites:

         1. City Hall Customer Service Parking Lot (102 N. Lee Street

         2. Five-Points Shopping Center

         3. City lot on Hill Avenue (1025 W Hill Ave)

 

 

Material

What to Recycle

How to Prepare

Not Acceptable

Paper (newspapers, magazines, mixed paper)

  • Newspapers/inserts (no bags or rubber bands)
  • Magazines, catalogs
  • Phone books
  • Cardboard boxes (remove styrofoam, bubble wrap, tape, etc.)
  • Dry food boxes, cereal boxes (remove inside liners and food)
  • Shoe boxes, gift boxes
  • Office paper
  • Junk mail
  • Frozen food boxes

 

Flatten cardboard.

  • No tissues, napkins, paper towels or other soiled paper
  • No pizza boxes
  • No paper plates or cups
  • No plastic laminated paper
  • No paperback or hardbound books

 

Glass, Food, Beverage Bottles, Jars

Clear, green, blue and brown

Rinse clean. Labels may be left on.

No light bulbs, window glass, dishes, glasses, Pyrex or other glass cooking items

Cans

Aluminum, steel and tin.

Rinse clean. Labels may be left on.      

  • No paint or aerosol cans
  • No aluminum foil

 

Plastic

  • Plastic milk or juice jugs, soda and detergent bottles
  • Soda and water bottles
  • Laundry detergent jugs
  • Ketchup, mustard bottles, etc.
  • Plastic bottles and jugs that are labeled #1, 2, 5 & 7 and on the bottom.

 

Rinse clean.

  • No plastic bags
  • No motor oil or pool chemical containers
  • No Styrofoam or plastic popcorn
  • No plastic toys, baskets, trays, rubber hoses, swimming pools, etc.
  • No five-gallon buckets

 

Solid waste collection is a critical and essential job as part of the response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. You can help protect the health of the men and women who collect your sanitation during this vital time. According to health experts, the virus may live for up to 24 hours on cardboard and two to three days on plastic. With a few simple steps, you can protect sanitation workers by reducing the possibility they will come into contact with potentially contaminated items.

  • Tissues, paper towels, wipes, masks, latex gloves, or any other sanitary or cleaning materials used to protect you from COVID-19 should NOT go into recycling carts or bins. (These items are never recyclable.) Recycled materials are often handled by workers when sorted later.
  • Break down large cardboard boxes and cut them apart, if needed, to fit inside the recycling container.  
  • Empty your bottles, cans, and other containers before you recycle them.
  • Food and liquids never belong in recycling.

When using the drop off sites for recyclables, please follow all safety policies and procedures. You should keep at least 6 feet of distance from other customers and city employees at all times. It is important that customers unload materials in the correct area to avoid requiring staff to handle discarded materials. Additionally, always follow all safety rules regarding speed limits, cell phone usage, and remaining near/in your vehicle.

During this time, garbage pick-up will continue as scheduled.  Please sanitize your handle and lid before putting your trash bin out for pickup.

If you have any questions in regards to your sanitation schedule, please call Public Works at 229-259-3588.

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