County staff reminding residents to use new garbage cans and to check on potential change in collection day
For Sarasota County solid waste customers, March 31 will be “G Day,” if you will.
For slightly more than a year, county staff has been working to educate those customers about the changes they will experience when two different companies take over garbage, recycling and yard waste collections next week. Staff has delivered about 140,000 new garbage cans, mailed postcards to households, produced videos and radio commercials, and ramped up announcements on social media to try to ensure that the process will take place smoothly.
Many residents not only will be using the new garbage cans, staff has pointed out, but they also will be adjusting to new collection days. Months ago, county staff created an interactive map to enable customers to learn what their pickup days will be.
All of the details customers need are available on a county website: www.scgov.net/FreshStartWithACart.
On Monday, March 24, on the Sarasota County Government Facebook page, staff also posted a number of reminders.
First, all garbage must fit inside the new green county cart that each household should have received, since both of the new franchise holders — in North County and South County — will be using automated equipment.
The winner of the North District contract was Waste Pro of Florida, which has offices in Clearwater and Fort Myers. A company called FCC Environmental Services will handle the South District.
On the county webpages, staff points out, “Requests for cart size exchanges may be submitted beginning July 1, 2025.”
Additional options for disposal are available “if you have extra garbage,” the Facebook post adds:
- Bulk pickups — “Each residential property will be eligible for four free bulk pick-ups (up to 10 cubic yards) per calendar year with the option to request additional bulk collection services at the curb (supplemental collection fees apply).”
- Community cleanup events — Residents also may utilize one of the free community cleanup events hosted by the Sarasota County Code Enforcement staff.
- Central County Landfill — Persons may continue to dispose of materials at that facility, which stands at 4000 Knights Trail Road in Nokomis (34275). Applicable fees apply there, as well, staff notes.
Customers also may request additional carts from their new service provider. Again, staff points out, “Supplemental fees will apply.” The webpages explain, “Sarasota County provides one garbage cart per residence. Collection service and disposal for items in one garbage cart are included in the annual non-ad valorem assessment collected through the property owner’s tax bill.”
Business and commercial owners in unincorporated Sarasota County may visit www.scgov.net/FreshStartBusiness for assistance, county staff says.