Monroe County offers free tire recycling, compost giveaway and HHW reuse

Monroe County this month held a free tire-recycling event at its three transfer stations and has scheduled two additional collection days to help residents dispose of old tires and pick up free compost and reuse items. The county’s recycling program, announced in a Feb. 4 news release, aims to keep the Florida Keys cleaner while diverting materials to reuse opportunities such as road repair and construction.

The county listed three tire collection dates: Feb. 7, March 7 and April 4, each running from 8 a.m. to noon. Drop-offs occur at Key Largo Transfer Station, 11180 County Road; Long Key Transfer Station, MM68 Overseas Highway; and Cudjoe Transfer Station, MM21.5 Blimp Road. Monroe County residents only may participate; proof of residency is required at drop-off. Residents may bring up to six passenger-vehicle tires per household, without rims, with a 20-inch height limit; all collections operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The county says collected tires will be recycled and repurposed for road repair, construction materials and other uses.

Alongside tire recycling, Monroe County and its yard-waste contractor are offering free bagged compost described as “nutrient-rich black dirt.” Compost is available the first Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon, or until supplies run out, with a limit of six bags per household and one pickup per household. The county’s reuse initiative also includes giveaways of fertilizer, household paint and other lightly used items while supplies last. Participating jurisdictions include unincorporated Monroe County and the cities of Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Islamorada and Layton.

Monroe County Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel framed the program as a local win for residents and the environment: “This program helps keep the Florida Keys clean while giving residents useful materials to reuse in their homes and gardens,” said Tuschel. “It’s a win-win for the community and the environment.”

From an institutional perspective, the program balances limited county capacity with broad public benefit. The six-tire cap, 20-inch limit and first-come, first-served policy aim to distribute access while containing program costs and processing loads. Those rules, plus residency requirements, prioritize local households but may leave renters or residents with larger tire needs seeking alternatives. The county points to Stevens Disposal & Recycling Service as a year-round option for tire drop-off; residents can contact Stevens Disposal directly for fees and procedures.

For questions, Monroe County listed 305-509-0325; the county’s main number is 305-294-4641 and the administrative address is 1100 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040. Note that some material in aggregated event notices referenced policies used in a different Monroe County (Michigan) that include a 10-tire limit and a Michigan-area contact; those practices do not apply to Monroe County, Florida unless confirmed by county officials.

What this means for readers is practical: residents have a no-cost option to reduce household waste and pick up garden-ready compost, but should come early, bring proof of residency, and plan for the stated per-household limits. The county’s next scheduled collections on March 7 and April 4 provide additional opportunities to participate.