By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Residents will have another opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted items and keep reusable materials out of landfills when Keep Coral Gables Beautiful hosts its next Recycling Drive-Thru on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot behind City Hall.

Now in its ninth year, the biannual event has diverted more than 650,000 pounds of waste — from electronics to clothing — through the city’s coordinated recycling and reuse efforts.

Clear path to responsible recycling

Participants must enter through the Coral Way entrance to the City Hall parking lot. No vehicles may line up before 9 a.m., and proof of residency will be required. The event closes promptly at noon, giving residents a three-hour window to drop off items safely and efficiently.

Walk-ins and bicyclists are welcome.

Residents can bring a variety of materials, including electronics with a plug or batteries, large cardboard boxes, and household hazardous waste such as paint, pool chemicals, oils, and pesticides. Paper shredding is available for up to five standard boxes or one 13-gallon bag per vehicle.

Lightly used clothing — especially men’s shirts, pants, and shorts, which are in highest demand — will be collected for Camillus House, supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

What you can bring

For safety and environmental compliance, certain materials will not be accepted. Prohibited items include tires, Styrofoam, appliances, biological or infectious waste, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, fireworks, and ammunition.

Residents may dispose of expired or unwanted prescription drugs year-round at the Coral Gables Police Department, 2151 Salzedo Street.

The city asks that participants respect the event’s start and end times — no early drop-offs or late arrivals — to help ensure smooth operations and safety for volunteers and staff.

Turning waste into community impact

Beyond environmental benefits, the drive-thru doubles as a humanitarian effort. Clothing donations help stock Camillus House’s outreach programs, while recycled electronics and paper shredding services reduce waste and protect residents’ privacy.

Organized by Keep Coral Gables Beautiful in partnership with the Sustainability Advisory Board and the City’s Police and Public Works Departments, the event continues to build momentum as a model of civic engagement.

Building a greener City Beautiful

The Recycling Drive-Thru underscores how small, practical steps — cleaning out a garage, recycling an old phone, donating a coat — collectively shape a greener, more compassionate community.

Residents can find more information about acceptable items and year-round recycling options on the city’s website or by calling 305-460-5547.