The Clay County commission voted to end the service due to rising costs associated with processing recyclables.
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — The days of walking the recycling down to the end of the driveway in Clay County are coming to an end.
The Clay County commission voted to end curbside recycling at the end of September.
This is just the latest chapter in what’s been a back-and-forth with the recycling program in Clay County.
“I’ve been recycling for a very long time,” said Camella Breaston, who participates in the curbside recycling program. “My whole adult life, I would say.”
Clay County leaders report only about one third of county residents take part in the recycling program.
Breaston is proud to be part of that group.
“If it’s available for us to recycle and someone will pick it up, then I’m going to do it,” said Breaston. “It’s not that much of a hassle for me.”
Curbside recycling won’t be available to Breaston much longer – the county commission voted to stop the program at the end of September.
For Breaston, it feels a bit like déjà vu.
“When they first stopped it for a while, what a couple years ago? Then, they started it back up, it was disappointing,” said Breaston.
Clay County suspended its curbside recycling program in August 2021 due to a driver shortage and lingering effects from the pandemic.
In December 2022, the county brought it back.
Then in December 2023 – the county started accepting only “high value” recyclables limited to certain types of cardboard, some plastic and metal cans.
Now in October 2024, recycling will go away again.
“It’s disappointing now, hearing that they’re going to cut it altogether,” said Breaston.
This time it doesn’t have anything to do with the pandemic or drivers, but the cost to recycle.
According to the county commission, Clay County used to make $6 per ton of recycling, but now it has to pay $85 per ton.
The county commission decided the extra expense would be too much to put on taxpayers.
“If my income doesn’t increase, I don’t want my taxes to either,” said Breaston. “I mean, we’re in a catch-22 here.”
Clay County has five Environmental Convenience Centers for folks to drop off their recycling.
First Coast News asked a county spokesperson if those will still take recycling after curbside ends, and the response was “Any future recycling options will be reviewed and brought to commissioners for consideration.”
Folks in Orange Park will not be impacted by the change, but if you live in Green Cove Springs, this will impact you.
