Residents reminded to keep regular, weekly collections separated from storm debris
Residential curbside storm debris collection will begin within the Sarasota city limits on Monday, Oct. 7, city staff has announced.
The schedule will allow residents time to remove from their property damaged materials and place them curbside, a news release points out. It also was planned to provide for seasonal residents to return to Sarasota and begin the process, the release adds.
To ensure pickup, the following storm debris collection rules must be adhered to, the release emphasizes:
- “Do not use plastic bags.
- “Separate materials into 4 distinct piles, as follows:
- “Construction debris — carpeting, dry wall and other flood-impacted construction materials.
- “White goods— appliances, including refrigerators, ranges, washing machines, dryers, air conditioning units and water heaters.
- “Bulk items — furniture and accessories, mattresses and other items affected by floodwater within a home or structure.
- “Vegetative debris — downed tree branches, limbs and vegetative material resulting from Hurricane Helene.
“Properly separating storm debris into the four distinct piles will help the City of Sarasota meet federal requirements for financial reimbursement,” the release explains. “The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will not credit the City of Sarasota for reimbursement of items contained in plastic bags.”
The release also points out, “The piles should be placed curbside at the right of way, not in the street.
“Large mechanical equipment will be used for the collection,” the release continues. “Anything blocking access to the debris piles, including parked cars, will prevent and delay pickup.”
The debris piles should be at least 6 feet away from mailboxes, utility poles, fire hydrants, backflow preventers, water meter boxes and other structures, the release says.
Weekly collections of solid waste, recycling materials and yard waste “must be separated from Hurricane Helene storm debris piles,” the release points out.
Questions about storm debris pickup should be directed to the Solid Waste Division at 941-263-6170.