Regional Compliance Hub: Chemicals, Batteries & Electronics (Tue–Sat) — Duval County / Jacksonville, FL
This regional hub is designed to keep communities compliant by directing residents to the correct, approved drop-off facility for items that are strictly not safe (and commonly not allowed) in standard landfill-bound trash streams—especially paint, batteries, electronics, and fluorescent lamps. In Duval County, multi-family communities typically rely on private haulers and dumpsters, and hazardous waste is not allowed in the standard collection waste streams—making the City’s HHW Facility the critical year-round “Compliance Hub.” [2][3]
Duval County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW + Batteries + Electronics)
The City’s primary “Household Hazardous Waste” facility: Jacksonville operates a permanent HHW drop-off on Commonwealth Avenue for Duval County residents. This is the reliable, year-round option for chemicals, batteries, and electronics. [1]
One-Stop HazMat Solution (Free for Residents): The HHW Facility accepts Household Hazardous Waste (examples include paint, pesticides, gasoline, and pool chemicals) and electronics (e.g., computers, TVs/monitors, and other large electronics listed by the City program). No direct charge for Duval County residents per program rules; proof of residency is required. [1]
- Facility: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility — City of Jacksonville[1]
- Address: 2675 Commonwealth Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254[1]
- Hours: Tue–Sat: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sun–Mon: Closed[1]
- Accepted HHW (Examples): paint, pesticides, gasoline, pool chemicals (see City lists for full categories).[1]
- Electronics (Examples): computers, TVs/monitors, and additional items per City program list.[1]
- Requirement: Proof of Duval County residency is required per program rules.[1]
Safety & Compliance: Batteries & Fluorescent Lamps Are Fire Hazards — Keep Them Out of Apartment Trash
Never put rechargeable (lithium-ion) batteries in the trash or recycling. Jacksonville’s Solid Waste guidance warns that lithium batteries should not be placed in curbside garbage or curbside recycling.
Use the HHW facility or a participating retailer take-back program instead.
[4][5]
Why: Lithium-ion batteries are a documented fire risk for collection trucks and waste/recycling facilities when crushed or damaged.
[6][5]
Bottom line: Items like Li-ion batteries and fluorescent tubes must be treated as “do-not-dump” materials for apartment dumpsters.
Hazardous waste is not permitted in standard collection streams—use the Commonwealth HHW facility.
[3][1]
Mobile Events: Helpful, But the Commonwealth Facility Is the Reliable Year-Round Option
Jacksonville hosts select mobile collection events for HHW and e-waste, but the Commonwealth Avenue HHW Facility is the dependable, permanent option for residents year-round. [1]
Crucial Warnings: Bulk Trash & Recycling (Jacksonville)
The “Apartment Gap” (Bulk Trash): Jacksonville’s Household Bulk Collection program is structured for residential automated service areas (curbside household service).
Separately, the City states it does not provide solid waste services to multi-family complexes—which typically use private haulers and dumpsters.
[7][3]
Apartment Reality: Most apartment communities are considered nonresidential service accounts, so residents generally cannot call 630-CITY and expect a curbside bulk pickup like single-family customers.
[3]
Action: Do not leave furniture at the curb. You must either:
(1) ask your Property Manager if the community has a scheduled bulk process, and/or
(2) self-haul bulky items to the City’s landfill, or
(3) hire a private junk removal service.
[8]
Self-Haul Option: Trail Ridge Landfill (Fees Apply)
For furniture and other bulky items that your community cannot manage on-site, Jacksonville’s Solid Waste “Disposal Operations” identifies the City’s landfill as Trail Ridge Landfill in Baldwin. Confirm the current hours and fee schedule before driving. [8]
- Location (Landfill): 5110 U.S. Hwy 301 S, Baldwin, FL[8]
Glass Recycling: Allowed in Jacksonville’s Yellow-Lid Cart (If Your Community Provides Recycling)
Status: Jacksonville’s recycling guidance allows glass bottles & jars (green, brown, and clear) in the standard yellow-lid recycling cart.
[9]
Apartment Note: Many apartment communities do not provide on-site recycling. If your community provides recycling bins, glass is accepted per City guidance.
If not, ask property management whether a public drop-off option is available; otherwise, recyclables may unfortunately end up in the trash.
[3]
Batteries: The Ban (Rechargeables)
Never put rechargeable batteries in the trash. Jacksonville Solid Waste guidance warns that lithium batteries should not be placed in curbside recycle bins or curbside garbage. Use the HHW facility or a participating retailer take-back program. [4][5]
EEAT Sources: [1] City of Jacksonville: Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) — Commonwealth facility address + Tue–Sat hours + program overview | [2] City of Jacksonville: Multi-family complexes/commercial properties rely on private haulers (context for “apartment dumpsters”) | [3] City of Jacksonville: Hazardous waste is unlawful in standard collection waste streams (and City does not provide service to multifamily) | [4] City of Jacksonville (PDF): Battery guidance / retailer take-back references | [5] U.S. EPA: Don’t place lithium-ion batteries in trash/recycling; use HHW or electronics recyclers | [6] U.S. EPA (PDF): Documented lithium battery fires in trucks and waste/recycling facilities | [7] City of Jacksonville: Household Bulk Collection (curbside household program context) | [8] City of Jacksonville: Disposal Operations — Trail Ridge Landfill location (5110 U.S. Hwy 301 S, Baldwin) | [9] City of Jacksonville: Recycling guide — glass bottles & jars accepted in yellow-lid cart
Jacksonville property owners and community managers: get ahead of future recycling rules while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with the City of Jacksonville solid waste code and Duval County recycling goals to cut contamination and protect NOI — even though large multifamily communities currently rely on private haulers and are not yet under a dedicated citywide multifamily recycling mandate.
In Jacksonville / Duval County, most apartment communities are served by private haulers. The City states it does not provide solid waste services to multi-family complexes or commercial properties. Duval County’s recycling plan confirms multifamily and commercial recycling is not currently mandated, though Florida law pushes all counties toward higher recycling performance.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Sustainability amenities that increase resident retention.
- Resident Convenience: Doorstep recycling reduces overflow and contamination.
- Risk Reduction: Helps avoid citations tied to illegal dumping, hazardous waste, and unsanitary enclosures.
- Inspector-Friendly: Clear signage, set-out rules, and education aligned with Jacksonville’s code expectations.
At a Glance: City of Jacksonville vs Unincorporated Duval County
City of Jacksonville
- Mandate Type: No mandatory multifamily recycling ordinance.
- Applicability Threshold: None (recycling optional for apartments).
- Who Provides Service? City serves eligible residential customers; multifamily must use private haulers.
- Duties: Prevent nuisances, illegal dumping, and hazardous waste violations under Ch. 380 / Ch. 382.
- Key Links: City Multifamily Page · Ch. 380 Solid Waste
Duval County
- Mandate Type: No county-level multifamily recycling mandate.
- Applicability Threshold: None.
- County Role: Supports Florida’s 75% recycling goal; multifamily decisions left to cities & haulers.
- Focus: Education, diversion, dumping prevention.
- Key Links: Florida DEP · Duval Recycling Plan
Fines & Penalties Snapshot – Jacksonville / Duval
- Hazardous Waste Illegal to Dispose: Municipal Code §380.209 prohibits hazardous waste in residential streams.
- Illegal Dumping & Nuisances: Code Enforcement can issue citations and daily fines; cases may go to a Special Magistrate.
- Ch. 632 Penalty Schedule: Violations may cost hundreds per incident plus liens for noncompliance.
- Florida State Fines: Local boards may impose $250/day (or more for repeat violations).
- No direct fine for “not offering recycling,” but waste violations & dumping can trigger penalties.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist – Jacksonville / Duval
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Service Setup | Verify if your community is City-serviced or a multifamily property requiring private haulers. | City Multifamily Page |
| ☑ Select Recycling Service | Choose a hauler offering recycling; right-size dumpsters/carts to prevent overflow. | — |
| ☑ Keep Hazardous Waste Out | Educate residents about prohibited materials; direct them to HHW drop-off sites. | HHW Page |
| ☑ Resident Education | Create rules covering set-out, contamination, bulk waste, and resident fines. | Code Compliance |
| ☑ Document & Monitor | Keep hauler contracts, service logs, and enclosure photos to reduce liability. | Ch. 380 |
Want to future-proof your Jacksonville community? Request a Free Compliance Audit — we’ll review your enclosures, right-size your containers, and build a resident-friendly recycling plan.
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