Manatee: Too Soon To Determine Storm Debris Collection Completion

BRADENTON, FL – While Hurricane Irma storm debris continues in the area, Manatee County said in a release it’s too early in the process to tell how long the collection will take.

Manatee County contracted with special debris collection crews to pick up an estimated 1.2 million cubic yards of storm debris, beginning with areas that pose the greatest safety concerns. The county said its looking to double the number of trucks on the roads collecting storm debris.

The Manatee County Utilities Department said residents must place all storm-related debris at their curb to comply with FEMA regulations. After the contractors assess the debris volume, Utilities can set a timeline needed to collect it all.

Residents will not need to call Manatee County to request curbside pickup, but to ensure pickup are asked to sort storm-related debris as follows:

• Yard waste (limbs, brush, trees, etc.) does not need to be bundled. Leaves should be in a container or bagged for collection.
• White goods (large appliances like refrigerators and freezers) should be emptied before placed at the curb. Spoiled contents should be placed in the regular garbage for pickup.
• Construction and debris materials (metal awnings, roofing, drywall, carpet and lumber) should be place in a separate pile.

As a last resort, residents can take storm debris to the Lena Road Landfill, 3333 Lena Road in Bradenton, where disposal will be subject to standard tipping fee rates, which are available at www.mymanatee.org/utilities.

Typical household garbage (trash, cups, food scraps, etc.) should be disposed of as usual. Regular trash pickup resumed, Monday, Sept. 18.

Normal yard waste is still being collected on Wednesdays by Manatee County’s regular waste haulers. With the increased amount of the yard waste, Manatee County Utilities said the haulers may be able to complete only a portion of their routes. The haulers will begin the next Wednesday where they left off the previous week.

For more information on debris-related questions, visit www.mymanatee.org/garbage or call Manatee County Utilities Customer Service at (941) 792-8811.

Caption: Manatee County contractors, like these seen here in neighboring Sarasota County, are continuing to collect the estimated 1.2 million cubic yards of debris caused by Hurricane Irma.

Image via City of Sarasota Facebook, Government page