Many Clay County residents are about to encounter a big change in garbage collection.
Residents were notified this week that the county’s new garbage service, FCC Environmental Services, will deliver 95-gallon cans to each home between July 29 and Sept. 23. The cans will allow for automated collection by trucks once the new service begins Oct. 1.
County commissioners voted in February to switch from WM, formerly known as Waste Management, to FCC. The board also voted to raise the waste collection fee by 15%, from $228 per year to $262. The increase will be included on November’s property tax bill.
The changes apply to unincorporated areas of Clay County, including Fleming Island, as well as Keystone Heights.
Among the changes:
- Curbside recycling will end when the new garbage service begins. Recycling had become too expensive, and only about one-third of residents recycled, commissioners said.
- Residents can continue to use their old cans for yard waste or they can turn them over to an Environmental Convenience Center or the Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Management Facility in Green Cove Springs. A list of sites is here. People also can keep their recycling bins or turn them in.
- If a 95-gallon can is too big, residents can order a 65-gallon can beginning Nov. 1.
- There will be rules on where cans can be placed on the curb. They must be no more than 3 feet from the paved road edge. The can must be placed with the lid opening facing the road and the wheels and handle toward the house. Only garbage in the can will be collected, and the lid must be closed.
- Garbage and yard waste will be picked up on the same day. Right now, they have different days. Residents will be notified later about their collection day.
- Residents can call FCC to arrange pickup of bulk items once per month at no charge. Bulk items include appliances, couches, mattresses and items resulting from a move.
- Although curbside recycling is ending, residents can still drop off cardboard at the Environmental Convenience Centers or Rosemary Hill.
For more information about the garbage collection changes, go here.
Randy comes to Jacksonville from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, where as metro editor, he led investigative coverage of the Parkland school shooting that won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for public service. He has spent more than 40 years in reporting and editing positions in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and Florida.