Educational Resources: Garbage and Recycling
Solid Waste follows the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover of managing waste. Use these resources to learn what happens when you throw things away, how to reduce waste, and how to help the environment.
Tours and Presentations
Learn about our vision of zero waste to landfill by 2050 and why it’s important that we create less waste.
Tours
- The 90-minute tour includes a classroom presentation and driving tour of the Solid Waste Disposal Complex. Participants will see the Waste-to-Energy Facility, landfill and more.
- Tours are available to everyone at least eight years old and in third grade or above. For students in kindergarten through second grade, visit our activities and resources.
Monthly Tours
Register for a Monthly Tour of up to 26 attendees by selecting a date and time that works best for you.
School Tours
The tour is a field trip approved by Pinellas County Schools. To book a school, please complete this form.
Questions about tours?
Email recycle@pinellas.gov or call (727) 464-7500.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there age requirements for the tour?
Tours are available for students in third grade (8-year-olds) and above.
How long is the tour?
Tours lasts for about one hour and 30 minutes to two hours. We ask you to arrive 15 minutes prior to tour start time.
What can I expect on a tour?
Tours include a classroom presentation and driving tour. Each portion takes approximately 45 minutes. The classroom presentation provides an overview of Pinellas County’s vision of zero waste to landfill and how garbage is managed in the County. On the driving tour, you will see the Waste-to-Energy Facility, landfill, and more. Attendees remain in the tour vehicle during the tour and the tour route may change due to weather or site conditions.
How many students can take a tour?
Our onsite tour vehicle can accommodate up to 40 adults at once or up to 55 elementary school students. There are 55 seats available in our Tour Classroom. Larger groups will be split in half; the first half would join the classroom presentation while the second half is on the driving tour. After each portion is complete, the groups switch to receive a complete tour. Please allow up to two hours for a tour group of this size.
Is there a minimum number of students that can take a tour?
If you have a group smaller than 30 attendees, please consider asking another class to join so we can maximize attendance in our on-site tour vehicle.
Can we bring lunch on the tour?
Food and drink, other than water, are not permitted in the Tour Classroom. Water fountains are available. There are a limited number of outdoor picnic tables (no shade). We recommend tours be scheduled for before or after lunch.
Are restrooms available?
Restrooms are available in the Tour Classroom building.
What Our Customers Are Saying
“We found all aspects highly informative, both for our out-of-town visitors as well as for those who last toured 4 or 5 years ago. A lot has changed — and keeps changing.” – Richard B.
“Thanks so much for a great tour!” – Laura T.
“We had an amazing time! You’re doing an incredible job and I’d love to stay in touch!” – Caulin D.
Virtual Tour
2024 Game Changing Tools Award recipient from the Solid Waste Association of North America’s Communication, Education and Marketing Technical Division.
Take a stunning virtual tour of the Solid Waste Disposal Complex (SWDC) and learn about our mission of managing garbage as a resource to reach our vision of zero waste to landfill by 2050.
Who Should Take a Virtual Tour?
- Children who are younger than eight years old who are not old enough for the in-person tour, but are interested in learning about what happens to their garbage after they throw it away.
- Those who want to explore at their own pace while learning about how we convert garbage to fuel and why reducing, reusing and recycling is so important to Pinellas County.
- Those who took the in-person tour, but want a deeper dive into the SWDC (the virtual tour takes you behind the scenes to areas that you don’t get to see during the in-person tour).
You may need to contact your network administrator if you are having issues accessing the Virtual Tour.
Presentations
Presentations on garbage and recycling are available to schools, clubs, community and civic organizations, homeowners associations and more.
The length and content level of the presentation can be suited to your group’s needs.
Email recycle@pinellas.gov or call (727) 464-7500 to request a presentation. Presentations are for those at least eight years old and in third grade or above.
Watch our Virtual Presentation: Recycling in Pinellas County recording on YouTube.
Publications
The County’s Recycle Guide and the STEAM Guide are created in partnership with the Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education program.
Recycle Guide
A playbook for Pinellas County residents on what to recycle and where to recycle. It includes activities that incorporate the Florida Standards for elementary, middle and high school students.
Pinellas County Citizen Scientist STEAM Edition
A creative, interactive publication encourages students to use science, technology, engineering, arts and math to address the global waste problem (view text only version here).
Solid Waste Master Plan
Solid Waste developed a 30-year Solid Waste Master Plan with 28 strategies that fits the vision of Zero Waste to Landfill by 2050.
Low-Waste Event Guide
This comprehensive guide helps you reduce your event’s eco-footprint. It features actionable tips, like how to collaborate with vendors and set up waste stations, and resources specific to the Tampa Bay area. By reducing waste, you can help save space in our landfills, save costs and engage attendees with your commitment to sustainability. Make a difference—plan smarter, waste less!
Reports
Reports about garbage and recycling composition and awareness prepared on behalf of Solid Waste, as well as other related reports, can be found by visiting the following links. All reports and surveys are PDF files. If you cannot view a file, click here for a free download of the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. All reports are listed from newest to oldest.
Garbage and Recycling Composition Studies
- 2024 Municipal and County Recyclable Materials Composition Study
- 2021-22 Waste Composition Study
- 2020 Municipal Recyclable Materials Composition Study (for the countywide composition and contamination rate, see page 13, Table 3-2)
- 2020 County Recyclable Materials Composition Study
Recycling Awareness Survey
- 2024 Residential Recycling Awareness Survey
- 2023 Commercial Recycling Awareness Survey
- 2021 Commercial Recycling Awareness Survey
- 2020 Residential Recycling Awareness Survey
Christmas Bird Count
- 2024 Pinellas County Solid Waste Christmas Bird Count
- 2023 Pinellas County Solid Waste Christmas Bird Count
- 2022 Pinellas County Solid Waste Christmas Bird Count
Videos
View our video library webpage or view them on YouTube.
Pinellas Partners in Recycling
Pinellas Partners in Recycling (PPR) is an advisory and networking group that is focused on improving recycling, maximizing waste reduction and diversion, and promoting sustainable materials management in Pinellas County and the surrounding Tampa Bay area.
Resources for Students and Teachers
Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay
- Join the Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay campaign and its partners in supporting the worldwide movement to reduce waste from single-use plastics. You can be part of the Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay campaign by sharing how you are reducing pollution from disposable plastic products.
Tampa Bay Recycles
- Local governments across Tampa Bay have teamed up to improve recycling efforts in the region. Visit Tampa Bay Recycles (English and Spanish) to make sure you are recycling correctly and helping our region avoid the common challenge of contamination – attempting to recycle soiled items or materials our programs don’t accept.
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)
- An organization of more than 10,000 public and private sector professionals committed to advancing from solid waste management to resource management through their shared emphasis on education, advocacy and research. SWANA offers free membership for full-time students, a MentorMatch program, and scholarships.
Green School Designation
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green School Designation Program’s environmental guidelines help Florida primary and secondary schools evaluate operations, set goals, and take specific actions to create a healthier environment, such as reducing water and energy use and reducing waste to lower operating costs.
Keep Pinellas Beautiful
- An organization dedicated to conserving and beautifying our natural environment through community engagement, like cleanups, and education. Students can participate in a variety of programs that offer leadership and volunteer opportunities in environmental stewardship.
Pinellas County Solid Waste Volunteer Internships
- Join us in educating residents about how to recycle and reduce waste. Students can gain job experience and build their resumes while creating important connections to professionals in the field of garbage and recycling. Learn more about volunteer internships.
Additional Resources
- Where Does It Go? Search Tool
- Recycle Guide & Downloadable Signage
- Household Chemical Collection
- Collection: Garbage & Recycling
- Hours: Solid Waste Disposal Complex
- Disposal Fee Information
- Educational Resources: Garbage and Recycling
- Recycling FAQ
- Map of Recycling Drop-Off Centers
- Artificial Reef Program
- Mulch Pickup Program
- For Businesses: Garbage & Recycling Resources
- How Mixed Recycling Works In Pinellas County
- Video Library: Garbage and Recycling
- Holiday and Gift-Giving Guide
- Pinellas Partners in Recycling
- Waste-to-Energy Facility
- Bridgeway Acres Landfill
- Solid Waste Master Plan
- Solid Waste Disposal Accounts
- Lealman Garbage and Recycling Collection
- Tampa Bay Recycles
- Why Recycling Is Important
- Discover Careers with Pinellas County Solid Waste
Questions?
Send an e-mail to recycle@pinellas.gov, click the Live Chat button below, or call (727) 464-7500.
Updated on Feb. 3, 2025.