Important Changes to Recycling Service for North Florida customers

Meridian Waste is proud to continue to be your environmental services provider. Unfortunately, a recycling crisis is sweeping the U.S. and frustratingly, it’s impacting Nassau County. World market conditions and current contamination levels have forced many processors into an unsustainable model to continue operating as before.

The current market rate Meridian Waste pays to process curbside recyclables is more than $100 per ton. This is 70% higher than the cost Meridian pays to dispose of waste in the local landfill. Therefore, the joint cost for curbside garbage and recycling service has increased $7.00 per month due to the extreme increase in recycling processing fees. The price for garbage and recycling collection service is $29.00 per month (billed quarterly = $87.00) and is reflected in your current invoice.

We know that this change is frustrating. However, please know that recycling is a true cycle and requires viable buyers of non-contaminated processed materials to be a truly sustainable system.

Your Options

1. Continue to participate in curbside recycling collection at the increased monthly cost.

2. Discontinue curbside recycling service and keep only garbage collection service at a rate of $20.50 per month (billed quarterly = $61.50)

3. Drop off your recycling for free at one of the Nassau County operated recycling sites.

You may discontinue your recycling service by contacting our local office at [email protected] or (904) 849-5122.

Current County Operated Recycling Drop Off Sites

West Nassau Convenience Recycle Center
46026 Landfill Road
Callahan, FL 32011

Bryceville
7282 Motes Road
Bryceville, FL 32009

Goodbread Drive
86142 Goodbread Drive
Yulee, FL 32097

Bailey Road
3163 Bailey Road
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Acceptable drop-off items: clear, brown and green glass, newspaper, magazines, aluminum and plastic. Cardboard is only accepted at the West Nassau Convenience Recycle Center.

Accepted for Curbside Collection Items:

• Aluminum, tin & steel cans (image)

• Plastic bottles and containers (Clear or Colored) Label #1, 2, 3, 5 & 7

• Mixed paper (newspaper, junk mail, magazines)

• Corrugated carboard

• Glass bottles & jars

NOT Accepted for Curbside Collection Items:

• Styrofoam

• Plastic bags & film

• Pizza boxes

• Food contaminated items

• Sharps & needles

• Motor oil

• Disposable utensils

• Tissues

• Toilet paper

• Paper towels

• Soiled foil or trays

• Ceramics

• Mirrors

• Window glass

• Yard waste

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RECYCLING CRISIS, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THESE TWO WHITE PAPERS:

An Unsustainable Path: Restructuring the Recycling Industry, written by Meridian Waste

“Rethinking Recycling: How Cities Can Adapt to Evolving Markets,” written by National League of Cities (NLC)

ARTICLES ABOUT THE RECYCLING CRISIS:

China confirms expanded import ban starting Jan. 1, Resource Recycling, December 1, 2020

As Costs Skyrocket, More U.S. Cities Stop Recycling, The New York Times, March 16, 2019

Piling Up: How China’s Ban on Importing Waste Has Stalled Global Recycling, Yale Environment 360, March 7, 2019

Since China's ban, recycling in the us has gone up in flames, Wired, February 27, 2019

How small cities around the country are fighting to save recycling, Waste Dive, January 28, 2019

The Era Of Easy Recycling May Be Coming To An End, Five Thirty Eight, January 10, 2019

New Chinese policy is forcing people to think: Is there a better way to recycle?, Public Radio International, December 14, 2018

Single-Stream Recycling (and China) Throwing Recycling Markets Into Chaos, Next City, December 3, 2018

St. Louis suburbs find recycling solutions after major MRF halts service, Waste Dive, November 2, 2018

China’s Recycling Regulations: How American Cities Can Benefit, Waste 360, September 26, 2018

Mountains of US recycling pile up as China restricts imports, Public Radio International, January 1, 2018

Industry Builds the Future of Recycling Amid China Ban Woes, Waste 360, June 29, 2018

What Chinese import policies mean for all 50 states, Waste Dive, June 29, 2018