Monday, Jan. 14, 2008

The rate of recycling has doubled in the past two decades, according...

The rate of recycling has doubled in the past two decades, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

As the trend of curbside collection has grown, so have customer options.

Recycling guidelines

Bradenton: Each house should already have a collection bin for steel cans, aluminum cans, clear glass, newsprint and plastic containers with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 imprinted on them.

The city will not collect plastic utensils, Styrofoam and colored glass for recycling.

For problems with recycling, contact the Sanitation Department at (941) 708-6340.

Palmetto: Recycling collection is Thursday. Bins should be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. The city provides two bins, one for paper recyclables and another for plastic bottles, glass and aluminum cans.

For recycling bins or questions about service, call (941) 723-4580, ext. 108, or visit www.palmettofl.org/Services/PW/GaRates.htm.

Unincorporated Manatee County: Waste Management Inc. of Florida removes solid waste and recyclable materials in single-family and multi-family homes.

Each residence is issued two blue containers to be used for recycling: one for paper and another for co-mingled materials, such as cans, glass and plastic. Put newspapers, junk mail, shredded bills, magazines and other paper into the first container. Place aluminum cans, steel cans, plastic bottles with the number 1 or 2 on the bottom, and glass bottles and jars in the second container.

For new homes that lack recycling containers, contact the Manatee County Utilities Customer Service department at (941) 792-8811.

City of Anna Maria: Waste Management of Manatee County provides recycling collection service.

Questions: call waste management at (941) 753-7591.

Holmes Beach: Recycling is picked up Mondays. Newspaper, glass, plastic bottles and cans go in the recycling bins. Call the city at (941) 708-5806 for information.

Bradenton Beach: recycling should be placed at the curbside by 7 a.m. on Thursday. Residents should place containers at the curb in front of the property. The blue bin is for clear or colored glass while the white bucket is for newspapers and plastic containers. Plastic bags may be used for cans and cardboard boxes may be flattened and placed between recycling containers.

Junk mail, hazardous materials containers, aerosol cans, batteries and chemical containers cannot be recycled.

Visit cityofbradentonbeach.com/works_recycle.php for information.

Longboat Key: Recycling will be collected Monday and should be placed at the curbside no later than 7 a.m. Residents will be provided red and blue bins to separate paper from plastics, glass and metals.

Do not place recyclables in bags because plastic bags will not be accepted. Flatten corrugated cardboard and place it at the curb to be collected with the garbage.

Visit www.longboatkey.org/Departments/PWK/garbage_ recycle.htm or call (941) 316-1988 for information.