CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Clay County has changed its rules for recycling. County officials say unprecedented processing costs is the catalyst behind the changes and they're not trying to increase the recycling fee for residents.
As of now, Clay County will only accept 'high-value' recyclable items, otherwise crews won't accept it.
High-value recyclables include: corrugated cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs (No. 1 and 2) and metal cans. The county will not accept items such as paper or glass.
Initially, the county would receive $6 for every ton of recyclables. Nowadays, county officials say it costs more for processing crews to sort out trash from recycling. The rate has changed where the county has to pay $85 per ton, and that's a rebated offer. Otherwise, the county would have to pay more than $100.
If the items crews are not looking for are in curbside trash bins, they will leave a tag advising people to make the proper changes. Clay County Director of Environmental Services Milton Law suggests, "When in doubt, throw it out."
"These changes would be semi-permanent," Law told First Coast News. "If the market has really changed and some of the material that we're not collecting rebounds and it looks like it's going to stay with a good value, and it makes sense with the county, we may add a material back."
Law says the county is in its "education phase" regarding the new changes to recycling. County officials want people to be aware of the changes now, as residents should expect a postcard in the mail sometime next week. The postcard will provide the details on what residents can and cannot recycle. The new changes apply to all Clay County residents except residents who live in Orange Park.