Southwest Florida counties rank high in state for recycling. See who nabbed second place out of 67 counties

Southwest Florida has a new recyclable spotlight on it.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection released its data for the highest recycling rates in Florida counties, with Charlotte, Collier, and Lee counties all ranking within the top five.

Here's what to make from the data and what residents can do to help the region stay on track.

Lee County sees spotlight for recycling: Lee tops all Florida counties in recycling for 2021 by reusing 1.6 million tons of trash

Where did Southwest Florida rank against other counties?

While Southwest Florida didn't take the number one spot at 80%, it claimed the next positions on the list:

• Collier County - 78%

• Charlotte County - 76%

• Lee County - 72%

Collier and Charlotte were two of only three Florida counties to surpass the 75% mark set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

For Collier County alone, it recycled approximately 1.3 million tons of the 1.7 million tons of waste collected in 2022 according to the FDEP. This is the second time the county has reached the statewide goal and represents an increase of three percentage points over the previous year.

“Our exceptional recycling rate is possible because of our residents, visitors, and businesses who are dedicated to recycling and preserving our paradise every day,” Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Director Kari Hodgson said. “Each person’s participation makes a difference.”

What was the top county for recycling in Florida?

South Florida's Palm Beach County took home the top spot in the entire state with a recycling rate of 80%.

What does a 'recycling rate" mean?

The recycling rate is a calculation that is used to determine the percentage of diverted refuse that is recyclable, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Top ten Florida counties for recycling:

1. Palm Beach County

2. Collier County

3. Charlotte County

4. Lee County

5. Sumter County

6. Pinellas County

7. Baker County

8. Hillsborough County

9. Alachua County

10. Bradford County

Top ten worst Florida counties for recycling:

1. Dixie County - 1%

2. Glades County - 3%

3. Hardee County - 6%

4. Franklin County - 7%

5. Walton County - 7%

6. Levy County - 7%

7. Jefferson County - 9%

8. Bay County - 9%

9. Calhoun County - 9%

10. Washington County - 10%

What items can you put in your recycle bin?

• Plastic bottles and containers. Recycle plastic objects shaped like a bottle, jugs, or tubs (such as water bottles, food containers, dish soap, laundry detergent, and shampoo). Lightly rinse. Leave caps and pumps on.

• Cardboard. Milk and juice cartons, paper towels and toilet tissue rolls, food boxes, and flattened cardboard boxes.

• Aluminum, steel, and tin cans. Includes clean aluminum foil and food pans.

• Glass bottles and jars.

• Paper. Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, paperback books, office paper, junk mail, envelopes, telephone books, and paper bags.

More recycling tips: Put these/don't put these in your recycling bin

What items can you not recycle?

Some items might not be recyclable because they have been contaminated or the community’s processing center may not be able to handle them. Here's what's usually not able to be recycled:

• Plastic bags

• Straws

• Thin plastic "clamshells" such as strawberry containers

• Scrap metal

• Greasy pizza boxes

• Oven Cookware

• Drinking glasses

• Ceramics

• Rope

• Clothing

• Hangers

• Christmas lights

• Paper towels

• Prescription bottles

Also, do not bag recyclables: Plant workers are instructed to grab and discard bags as they scoot by on the conveyor belt.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Three SWFL counties rank high by FDEP in Florida for recycling