Local

City of Jacksonville to bring back curbside recycling services

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayor Lenny Curry announced curbside recycling will return in April―six months after the collection service in the city was suspended.

It’s been months of extra work for Carol Marks, who’s been lugging her recyclables to a city-designated drop-off site at Castaway Island Preserve. She insists recycling is paramount, and she says a staffing shortage is not an excuse.

“We have to do this. It’s very, very important and if they can’t get staff, they have to increase the salary, or I don’t know what,” Marks said.

Angie Peasle says she understands COVID-19 has made things tough all across the board, but like Marks, she’s happy the service is coming back.

“It’s great. It’ll be nice to get everything going how it was before. It is a little inconvenient to do this, but I’m happy to do this too. Either way, recycling is important to all of us,” Peasle said.

Larry Stewart, who was also out recycling Tuesday, likes the option of having a site to take his waste to whenever he wants.

“It is not a major project to bring it to a collection point once a week or so and have it collected,” Stewart said.

One thing is certain: Stewart, Peasle, and Marks all care about doing their part. Action News Jax asked the city if the drop-off sites will stay after the curbside picks up again. A spokesperson said the city is still working out those details. The city says locals can expect their routes to remain the same as they were before the pause.

Action News Jax asked the city if the drop-off sites will stay after the curbside picks up again. A spokesperson said the city is still working out those details. The city says locals can expect their routes to remain the same as they were before the pause.