Recycling?

[mskaggs]

My husband would surely like to know if anyone recycles, and how one would go about it here?

[mtdjed]

Using a definition from the internet: Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products.

Collecting and processing materials is the big issue. In order for it to work you need someone to collect and someone to process. For the most part our individual effort is limited to collection, but that is limited to work with a system where our collections can be a value to processors.

Currently, the collection process must not justify costs for separation , storage, transport and processing.

Since much of what we collect can be burnt in facilities that can use that combustion to create power, that is where our community has selected to recycle.

[mskaggs]

Oh! We have a waste-to-energy plant?? Awesome! I will tell him.

[champion6]

Oh! We have a waste-to-energy plant?? Awesome! I will tell him.Corvanta Lake | Covanta (https://www.covanta.com/where-we-are/our-facilities/lake)

[Carla B]

Yes, those of us who live N of Hwy 44 recycled up until October, 2020. Now it all goes in the same bag for Covanta.

[dahrens1]

Every couple of weeks we bring our newspapers and cardboard to the Sumter County Citizen's Drop-off Area (CDA). Ordinary recyclables are free if you are a resident and other items can be dropped off for a nominal fee.

For fee schedule see their web site:
Solid Waste | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/222/Solid-Waste)

From their website:
Sumter County Solid Waste does provide a Citizen’s Drop-Off Area (CDA) at 819 CR 529, Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 for residents to drop off the following acceptable items for a fee (See Fee Schedule below):

Residential/Household Class 1 Waste/Garbage
Residential Recyclable Materials – No Charge
Plastics #1 through #7
Aluminum, Tin, and Steel Cans
Mixed Paper (Magazines, Newsprint, Office Paper,
Phone Books, Catalogs)
Clean Paper Bags

Waste Tires
Batteries, Car, rechargeable, normal household batteries
Scrap Metal
Cardboard
Brush, Construction, and Demolition Debris
Electronics
Furniture
Fire Extinguisher



Fees

Click here for a list of fees: Fees effective 1/1/2021 | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/1267/Fees-effective-112021)

Paint Disposal Options

Paint cans are not accepted at the CDA.

If you have a large amount of paint, it is considered hazardous waste and we will only accept this item at one of the Mobile Collection days (see below).
If there is a small amount of latex paint left, open the paint lid and let the latex paint dry. Dried latex paint is not considered a hazardous waste and can be disposed with regular trash.
Small amounts of latex paint can also be mixed with kitty litter and allowed to dry with the lid off.
Empty paint cans should have the lid removed and can be disposed of with ordinary trash.


Hazardous Waste or Household Electronics (Amnesty Day)

Sumter County does not accept hazardous waste at the CDA but does provide Mobile Collections events where citizens can drop-off hazardous waste or household electronics. Click here for more information.
Household Electronics & Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection - Amnesty Day | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (https://sumtercountyfl.gov/1236/Household-Electronics-Hazardous-Waste-Mo)

Sharps Disposal Program

Disposal of needles and sharps is handled through the Florida Department of Health. Click here to find information about the Sharps Disposal Program.
Needle Disposal Program | Florida Department of Health in Sumter (http://sumter.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-health/needle-disposal-program/index.html)

[DAVES]

I confess to being guilty. Ideas are easier then actually doing it. Before moving to the villages the basement in my former home was packed. Wife was shocked. If, I recall copper, brass scrap at like 2.50 a pound, lead was like .25 a pound, aluminum is like 2.50 a pound, steel like .25 a pound. Toss it or bring it to a recycle place. I got hundreds out of what was junk to my wife. We could perhaps give it to charity rather than paying to dump it.

[Ben Franklin]

There used to be a place off of 466 and Rolling Acres Rd. I don't know if it's still there or not.

[MrFlorida]

Who wants to recycle ? multiple bags of stuff lying around waiting for pickup..... it's worse than pumping your own gas.