The half-empty paint cans in the garage, the laptop that died years ago and the pool chemicals left over from last summer all have a place to go this weekend.
Keep Coral Gables Beautiful will host its twice-yearly Recycling Drive-Thru from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 14, in the parking lot behind City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way.
The event gives Coral Gables residents a convenient way to dispose of electronics, household hazardous waste and other materials that do not belong in curbside recycling or regular trash. It also provides document shredding and collects gently used clothing for Camillus House, the Miami nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness.
Participants must enter through the Coral Way entrance to the City Hall parking lot and bring proof of Coral Gables residency. Walk-ins and bicyclists are welcome.
Over the past 10 years, the city says, its twice-yearly recycling drives have diverted more than 736,000 pounds of electronics, hazardous waste, clothing, plastic film and paper from landfills.
What residents can bring
The event accepts a broad range of household materials, with separate collection stations for different types of waste.
Electronics: Anything with a plug or that operates on batteries is eligible, including computers, printers, televisions, phones and small electronic devices. Old 14-gallon recycling bins can also be dropped off.
Household hazardous waste: Paint cans, pool chemicals, oils, household batteries, fire extinguishers and pesticides are accepted. These materials require special handling because improper disposal can contaminate soil and water or create hazards for sanitation workers.
Paper for shredding: Residents may bring up to five standard-sized office boxes or one 13-gallon trash bag of documents per vehicle. The limit is intended to give everyone an opportunity to use the service.
Cardboard: Large cardboard boxes are accepted for recycling.
Plastic bags and film: The collection includes certain grocery bags, packaging wraps and other flexible plastics. Materials must meet the requirements of the NexTrex recycling program. Generally, accepted plastic films must be clean, dry and free of food residue. Not all wrappers and packaging qualify.
The city encourages residents to check the official list of acceptable materials before loading their vehicles.
Clothing donations support Camillus House
The drive-thru also serves as a clothing collection point for Camillus House, which provides shelter, meals, clothing and other services to people experiencing homelessness in Miami.
Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing is accepted, including suits, ties, shoes and socks. All items should be gently used. Undergarments will not be accepted.
Organizers say the greatest need is for men’s shirts, pants and shorts.
The donations support Camillus House’s efforts to provide clean clothing and other basic necessities to people experiencing homelessness. The organization maintains a clothing room and shower program and accepts clothing donations throughout the year.
What the event will not accept
Not everything can be dropped off.
The city excludes medical and infectious waste, including needles and other sharps; radioactive materials; Styrofoam; tires; appliances; smoke detectors; fireworks, explosives and ammunition; and substances regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Non-propane cylinders, unstable reactive materials and substances that cannot be identified will also be turned away.
Car batteries are not accepted. The city recommends taking them to a local auto parts store that offers battery recycling.
Residents should keep hazardous materials in their original, labeled containers when possible and avoid mixing chemicals. Anyone unsure whether an item qualifies should consult the city’s event instructions and exclusions before arriving.
How the drive-thru works
Vehicles must enter the City Hall parking lot from Coral Way. Collection stations will be arranged by material type, and the city’s event page includes a map showing their locations.
The city will not allow vehicles to form a line before the event opens at 9 a.m. Materials will not be accepted before 9 a.m. or after noon.
Participants should have identification ready to establish Coral Gables residency.
Keep Coral Gables Beautiful organizes the event in partnership with the city’s Sustainability Advisory Board and its police and public works departments.
Missed the event? Other disposal options remain
Residents who cannot attend Saturday’s drive-thru do not have to store hazardous materials until the next event.
Miami-Dade County operates two Home Chemical Collection Centers that accept household chemicals and certain electronic waste throughout the year.
The West Dade center is at 8801 NW 58th St. in Doral. The South Dade center is at 23707 SW 97th Ave., Gate B, in Homestead. Both are open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For Saturday’s drive-thru, however, the important details are straightforward: Bring eligible materials, proof of residency and enough time to complete the drop-off before noon.
The city’s Recycling Drive-Thru event page provides the complete list of accepted and excluded materials, along with the parking lot layout.
Residents seeking additional information can contact the Coral Gables Solid Waste Division at 305-460-5547 or visit the city’s recycling information page.
Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff
Originally established in 1996 and relaunched as a digital publication in February 2025, the Coral Gables Gazette is an independent local news organization dedicated to factual, objective and accountable community journalism. Our newsroom reports on the people, policies, institutions and events shaping Coral Gables, Florida, providing residents with timely, informative coverage of the issues affecting their community. Our reporting includes City Hall, local government, municipal elections, public spending, real estate development, business, education, arts and culture, and neighborhood affairs throughout the City Beautiful. We follow City Commission decisions, examine public records and report on the businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to Coral Gables. We believe informed residents are essential to a healthy, engaged community. Stories published under the Coral Gables Gazette News Staff byline are prepared or compiled by the publication's editorial team. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion and advertising. Readers are encouraged to submit news tips, corrections, editorial inquiries and story suggestions through our Contact page and learn more about our standards through our Editorial Policy.
