Recycling

Recycling Centers in Monroe County

Monroe County has three transfer stations accepting recyclables

  • Key Largo Transfer Station-11180 County Road 905- 305-367-4236
  • Long Key Transfer Station- MM68 Overseas Hwy- 305-664-2263 or 2269
  • Cudjoe Transfer Station- MM 21.5 Blimp Rd.- 305-745-2513

Franchise Haulers Collect All Residential Recycling

  • Lower Keys - Waste Management - 305-296-8297
  • Middle Keys - Marathon Garbage - 305-743-5165
  • Upper Keys - Keys Sanitary Service - 305-451-2025
  • Ocean Reef - Solid Waste 305-367-5992

Municipal Haulers

  • Islamorada - Island Disposal - 305-393-3300
  • Key West - Waste Management - 305-296-8297

Events

  • April 4th, 8 a.m. to noon, FREE tire recycling event for Monroe County residents and municipalities, up to 6 passenger tires without the rims, 20" or less. 
  • April 22nd, 5 pm to 7 pm, City of Marathon City Hall. Come celebrate EARTH DAY and enjoy the student 3-D Art exhibit, which raises awareness about single-use waste in our delicate ecosystem. Visit the Eco-friendly food trucks and local environmental organizations at this FREE event!

Flyer announcing Monroe County’s free tire recycling events on February 7, March 7, and April 4 fromColorful Earth Day flyer inviting the community to Marathon City Hall on April 22 from 5–7 PM for th


Upper Keys Food Waste Pilot Program-Huge Success

The Upper Keys Food Waste Collection Pilot Program was a collaborative effort between Monroe County, SoilMate, and our generous sponsor, Baptist Health South Florida.

🌱 Pilot Program Impact (Nov 2025 - Feb 2026):
 Together, we have achieved measurable and meaningful environmental results:

  • 3,266 pounds of food waste diverted from landfill
  • 2,212 pounds of CO₂ emissions avoided
  • Environmental benefits equivalent to:
    • 2,599 miles not driven by a passenger vehicle
    • 1,124 pounds of coal not burned
    • Carbon sequestration comparable to 25 urban trees grown over 10 years

These results demonstrate not only the strong community interest in food waste diversion but also the real environmental impact we can achieve when we work together.

👉 How You Can Help:
We encourage you to contact the Monroe County officials and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and express your support for:

  • Expanding food waste collection services
  • Continuing partnerships that reduce landfill dependency and protect our environment
  • Share pilot information with others in your community
  • Visit Soilmate's website:  your-soilmate.com/pages/monroe

Recycling Accomplishments

  • Tire Recycling: 77 tires, one more event to take advantage of- April 4th, 2026!
  • Compost Initiative in the schools: In February, Sugarloaf Elementary School converted 88 pounds, and Stanley Switlik Elementary School converted 142 pounds of food waste.
  • Election campaign materials recycling
  • Holiday Lights Recycling: 909 pounds of broken and old lights were collected and recycled into new electronic components. Thanks to the collection host sites: Home Depot in Marathon and Key West, Eco-Discovery Center, Florida Bay Forever, and Coral Isle Church.

Recycling Dos and Don'ts

Recycling guide showing accepted and not accepted items for recycling.

Recycling Reminders

  • Monroe County accepts plastics #1, 2, and 5. Lids should be placed back on the bottles for recycling as well. 
  • Plastic to-go cups and paper cups are now accepted, but as always, we encourage you to use your reusable cup!
  • Pizza boxes can now be recycled as long as the boxes are clean and there is no food left in the box.