Clearwater Resumes Charges for Recycling Service

Published on April 11, 2024

Customers received city recycling credits in the form of free service for utility bills dated Oct. 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. 

In January 2023, the city conducted a massive overhaul of its recycling program. Effective Oct. 1, 2023, Clearwater recycling customers began receiving recycling credits in the form of free service for six months. Effective April 1, the city of Clearwater has resumed charging customers for recycling services. 

Customers will now see a recycling rate of $3.51 added onto this and future bills for recycling services. The recycling charge was $3.38 per month on a resident's utility bill until Sept. 30, 2023, and current recycling rates are $3.51 per month, per the city’s solid waste rate ordinance and a five-year rate schedule that was approved Sept. 5, 2019. 

Customers who have moved out of the city can request a credit by filling out a form at MyClearwater.com/WeAreRecycling. 

The city would like to thank all of its residents who have continued recycling with us. Clearwater’s recycling program is called “Simplify to 5.” Our program accepts five types of materials, including plastic bottles and containers #1-7, glass bottles and jars, tin/steel cans, cardboard and mixed paper.  

Items that contaminate the city’s recycling stream include plastic bags, bubble wrap, food, yard waste, electronics, among others. Non-recyclable items can damage machinery and create hazards for not only our workers, but also those at our recycling vendor, Waste Connections. When in doubt, throw it out. 

Information about Clearwater’s recycling program can be found at MyClearwater.com/Recycling and MyClearwater.com/WeAreRecycling.