Okaloosa Recycling

Don't Contaminate! Remove all food waste from Recyclables.

What is Recycling? Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling can benefit your community and the environment.

Why Should I care about recycling? Great question! Recycling is important because according to the EPA recycling and reuse activities are responsible for about 681,000 jobs, recycling, reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals, prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials, saves energy, supports American manufacturing and conserves valuable resources.

What are the most common contaminants? The most common contaminants are plastic bags, tanglers such as hoses, hangers, and Christmas lights, yard waste, and household garbage. To see a full list of common contaminates please CLICK HERE

Don't have curbside recycling? That's OK, you can drop off your recyclables at:

South Okaloosa County Individuals can drop off household recyclables at the Transfer Station on 630 Transit Way off of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Fort Walton Beach. Hours of operation are 6 am to 5 pm M-F and 6 am to noon on Sat.

North Okaloosa County Individuals can drop off household recyclables may be dropped off at 1415 Charlie Day Rd. in Baker, M-F 7am to 3:30pm and Sat. 7am to noon. For further information call 850-244-7642.

Contact:

Jim Reece, Recycling Coordinator
80 Ready Avenue
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548

Phone: (850) 651-7394
Fax: (850) 651-7397

email: jreece@myokaloosa.com

More About Recycling

Plastic bags and other plastic films DO NOT belong in your recycling bin, instead, check with your local supermarkets for collection bins!

Unwanted electronics, paint, oil, gas, antifreeze, pesticides, fluorescent lamps, and rechargeable batteries should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste collection facility on 84 Ready Ave. Tuesday-Saturday 7am-3pm.

Have yard waste or organic waste you wish to recycle? Compost!

If you like to DIY, compost bins can be made as small as a 2-liter bottle for a fun hands-on activity for the kids, or if you wish to have enough for your garden, you can use a tote or large trash can. Compost bins are also available for purchase at the Household Hazardous Waste drop-off on 84 Ready Ave.

Want to test your sorting skills? Play this interactive recycling game.

A map illustrating franchised unincorporated Okaloosa County residential waste collection can be reviewed and/or downloaded if you CLICK HERE. The legend on the map indicates “Okaloosa Collection Areas 1-5”. These franchised areas are under an exclusive service contract with Waste Management to collect residential garbage, recyclables, bulk and yard waste. In addition to Areas 1-5, the Non-Exclusive Franchise North area is specified. Residential and commercial waste services are fulfilled by a variety of county-approved service providers. Since the County only facilitates residential curbside collection of garbage and recyclables, businesses interested in recycling should discuss options with their commercial trash collector.

If you would like to find out what company handles your waste and recycling pick up please Click here!

Municipalities have their own franchise area for both residential and commercial waste collection. Commercial waste collection is covered under a non-exclusive commercial franchise Countywide. Services offered through these county-approved vendors vary.

Have yard waste or organic waste? - Learn how to compost!

Have yard waste or organic waste you wish to recycle? Compost!

What can I place in my recycling bin?

Leave No Trace

From tree lines to shorelines, we hope you join us in our countywide LEAVE NO TRACE efforts. We must act to preserve the pristine beauty of our environment and respect the property of our friends, neighbors, communities, wildlife, and marine life. The natural wonders along our pristine beaches, parks, woodlands, lakes, rivers and roadways deserve to be protected. Let's join together in a commitment to stay cognizant and focused on the impact we have on the environment. For the sake of preserving fond memories of our past, enjoyment of the present and for the future generations to come, here are some LEAVE NO TRACE tips for staying mindful:

Take ONLY memories - Our sand, sea oats, and other natural elements create a thriving ecosystem for wildlife and sea life that consider Okaloosa County their home.
Leave ONLY footprints - Put trash in proper waste receptacles when enjoying the outdoors or remember to bring a garbage bag along to make hauling your trash back home for disposal, a little easier.
Pitch in - Leave your environment better than you found it. Even if you didn't toss the litter, it feels good to do more good than required. If you see trash floating around, pitch in and pick it up!
Protect - Sea Turtle Nesting Season begins May 1 each year. Lights out after dark, filling the holes and flattening sandcastles will help mom sea turtles nest and babies make their way back to the surf. More on sea turtle Conservation at destinfwb.com.

Help us to spread the word by using the LEAVE NO TRACE Logo on business and event collateral, signage and digital platforms. Click to download the STANDARD or TRANSPARENT logo. and use the hashtag #LeaveNoTrace. CLICK HERE to learn about Okaloosa County's curbside residential recycling program and sustainable alternatives for businesses and individuals outside of Unincorporated Okaloosa County's franchise area.

Smoking and vaping is prohibited in County-owned public parks and beaches. Read the ordinance (Effective Jan. 18, 2023)

Interested in organizing a cleanup event and unsure where to start? Unsure if the property is County, City a State roadway, US Highway or even Private Property? Reach out to Okaloosa County Permitting at 850-423-4868 or email aoverly@myokaloosa.com for logistics and approvals ahead of time. Email Environmental Resource Coordinator, Kali Hiemier at khiemier@myokaloosa.com to have your upcoming public volunteer event added to this website. #LeaveNoTrace