Frequently Asked Questions
Residential Solid Waste Collection
- What is automated collection?
- Why do we have automated collection?
- Can I exchange cart sizes?
- What are my service days?
- What is the holiday schedule?
- When should I put my trash, recycling, and yard waste out?
- Where should I put my carts?
- Why do the handles on the automated collection carts need to be facing my house?
- Why do I need to provide space between my garbage cart, recycling card and yard trimmings set out for collection?
- What about street parking on collection days?
- What can I put in the cart for trash collection?
- Can I use another trash container other than the cart that is provided?
- Do I need to bag my trash?
- What sizes are the carts?
- What size cart should be large enough for my trash?
- I have more trash than can fit in one trash cart. Can I get an additional cart?
- I am disabled and can’t roll the carts to the curb. What should I do?
- How are large items collected such as furniture and appliances?
- How do I safely dispose of hazardous household waste?
- How do I dispose of pressure treated lumber?
- I do not have room to store the carts. Can I place my trash in bags curbside for collection?
- If the cart blows over, will trash still be picked up?
- What if my cart gets damaged or stolen?
- If I move, do I take the carts with me?
- Why weren’t the bags/boxes I placed on top of the cart collected?
- My cart wasn’t completely emptied. Why?
- Will my cart be emptied if it is placed in the wrong spot?
- How do I dispose of my yard trimmings?
- What about when I generate a large quantity of yard trimmings?
- Can shredded paper be put in the recycling bin?
What Is Automated Collection?
Automated collection is a thoroughly proven method of residential solid waste collection used in tens of thousands of municipalities as a cost-effective option to manual collection. Each home is provided with three special carts for the trash, yard waste and recyclables. These carts are easy to roll and placed curbside on the designated collection day. The garbage trucks, equipped with a lifting device on the curbside, will lift, empty and return the carts to the same spot. The driver never has to leave the truck cab, but controls the entire loading operation from his seat. The entire collection process takes about 15 seconds to complete. 96-gallon carts will hold up to 200 pounds of trash (as much as three typical garbage cans) but are still easy to roll to the curb. 64-gallon carts are even easier to handle.
Why Do We Have Automated Collection?
Automated collection increases efficiency of refuse collection while improving safety. Worker injuries are reduced thereby reducing workers compensation claims and insurance costs. Overall operating costs are reduced. Fewer trucks on local roads consume less fuel and produce lower emissions. Automated collection provides stable annual costs for collection while improving service. It greatly improves recycling rates (which is required by the State of Florida) and reduces the amount of refuse processed, resulting in lower costs for disposal.
Waste Management provides the carts. The carts are maneuverable and easy to roll. Carts feature large wheels and do not need to be picked up and carried. Residents only have to wheel out a single trash cart twice each week and a recycling cart on one of the scheduled trash pick-up days. The recycling cart lid is clearly marked for recyclables. Snug fitting lids are attached to the cart so they won’t blow off or get lost. Carts are stable and will withstand winds up to 50 mph. Litter, odors, animal and fly problems are greatly reduced. Carts have a smooth interior for ease of cleaning. They are uniform, attractive and contribute to a tidy neighborhood appearance on collection day.
Can I Exchange Cart Sizes?
Residents can obtain smaller carts if the sizes of the carts are too large or larger carts if they are too small. Call Waste Management at: (321) 723-4455 to exchange cart sizes.
What Are My Service Days?
Service days can be found under the Neighborhood Services Days page.
What Is the Holiday Schedule?
There is no service on Memorial Day, July 4th, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. If your collection day falls on one of these holidays, that collection will be made the next business day.
When Should I Put My Trash, Recycling, and Yard Trimmings out?
Your set outs must be at the curb by 6 a.m. on your scheduled service day. After your carts are emptied, please remove it from the curb that same day.
Where Should I Put My Carts?
Carts must be placed at least three feet from obstacles such as utility poles, mailboxes, trees and parked cars. Carts should be as close to the curb as possible but no further than six feet away from the curb edge. Make sure the container handle faces away from the street toward your home.
Why Do the Handles on the Garbage Containers Need to Be Facing My House?
The automated collection truck cannot turn the container around as it picks it up. Dumping the container “backwards” can break or damage the lid.
Why Do I Need to Provide Space Between My Garbage Cart, Recycling Cart and Yard Trimmings Set out for Collection?
A different vehicle collects each item, so access is important. Also, the collection arm on the automated truck requires space to make the collection safely so that it will not tip over other containers or damage your property. Please keep the containers away from mailboxes, fire hydrants, telephone poles and other obstacles that may interfere with the collection.
What About Street Parking on Collection Days?
So that the collection truck can easily approach the cart, you are asked to please not park at the curb on collection days, or to park your vehicle a good distance from your carts and those set out by any neighbors.
What Can I Put in the Cart for Trash Collection?
Household trash can be put in your trash cart. Do not place recyclable materials, construction refuse, demolition refuse or hazardous materials in your trash cart.
Can I Use Another Trash Container Other Than the Cart That Is Provided?
No. Only the trash carts delivered by Waste Management can be used for refuse disposal. Trash left outside the carts will not be collected. Carts that are blocked or turned the wrong way after fully automated pick-up is implemented cannot be emptied. For large bulky items that do not fit in the cart, you must contact Waste Management at: (321) 723-4455 to schedule a pick-up of these items at no additional cost.
Do I Need to Bag My Trash?
It is encouraged that all trash be bagged before it is put in the roll cart. Bagging helps keep the trash cart clean and reduces the opportunity for blown litter in the event of a major windstorm. (Recyclable materials, however, are better placed directly in the recyclables cart for ease in segregating the recyclable materials at the processing yard.)
What Size Are the Carts?
The 96-gallon cart is 29 1/2 inches wide, 38 inches deep, and 44 inches tall. The 64-gallon cart is 24 inches wide, 27 inches deep, and 41 1/2 inches high. The 36 gallon cart is 19 inches wide, 23 3/4 inches deep, and 37 1/2 inches high. The 64-gallon cart has about the same footprint as the typical plastic trash container.
What Size Cart Should Be Large Enough for My Trash?
Experience in similar communities has shown that 64-gallon carts are usually the most appropriate size for most homes. The smaller 36-gallon cart is probably best for those with one or two person households where storage of the carts is a concern. A larger 96-gallon trash cart is available for larger households. (One 96-gallon cart holds the equivalent of three average garbage containers.) Single stream recycling helps reduce the volume of garbage, so the size of trash container needed may be smaller than you might initially think.
I Have More Trash Than Can Fit in One Cart. Can I Get an Additional Cart?
Yes, for a small additional fee. Please call Waste Management at: (321) 723-4455 to order a second trash cart.
I Am Disabled and Can’T Roll the Carts to the Curb. What Should I Do?
First, see if a family member or a neighbor will help you. If this doesn’t work for you, call Waste Management at: (321) 723-4455 with evidence of your disability, and you will receive service from where your carts are stored on your property at no additional cost.
How Are Large Items Collected Such as Furniture and Appliances?
A separate collection is performed once a week for certain large items of waste defined as Bulky Wastes or White Goods. These items for separate collection include, but are not limited to, items such as stoves or refrigerators with doors removed, hot-water tanks, furniture and other large household items which cannot be broken down, but does not include construction refuse, demolition refuse or hazardous wastes.
How Do I Safely Dispose of Hazardous Household Waste?
The Brevard County solid waste management department accepts household hazardous waste at no cost with proof of residency. For more information go to the County web page at the link below.
Brevard County Household Hazardous Waste
HOW DO I DISPOSE OF PRESSURE TREATED LUMBER WASTE?
You must self-haul to the Brevard County Household Hazardous Waste site location at 2240 Adamson Road, Cocoa. For more information on what can be dropped off at the Brevard County Household Hazardous Waste site location, click this link.
I Do Not Have Room to Store My Carts. Can I Place My Trash in Bags Curbside for Collection?
No, please place trash and recyclables in the carts provided. Small 36-gallon carts are available if you have limited storage. These are about the same size as the plastic containers you might already have. A cart exchange is available at no additional cost. Please call Waste Management at: (321) 723-4455 to request a smaller cart.
If the Cart Blows over, Will Trash Still Be Picked up?
Windy days are less of a problem than before automated service, as the rolling carts are of an extremely stable design and can withstand side winds of up to 50 mph. You are responsible for the proper use of the cart including cleaning up any trash spilled from the carts due to high wind or other acts beyond human control. Waste Management will pick up any trash spilled as a result of the collection operations.
What if My Cart Gets Damaged or Stolen?
If the collection truck causes the damage or damage is a result of normal wear, the damaged cart will be replaced at no charge to you. Damage resulting from negligence or abuse by the resident will be the responsibility of the resident. Stolen carts will be replaced at no charge to the resident.
If I Move, Do I Take the Cart with Me?
If you move, please leave the carts at your old home.
Why Weren’T the Bags/Boxes I Placed on Top of the Cart Collected?
No waste is to be placed on top of the automated cart contained as it will fall off the cart and cause a mess.
My Cart Wasn’T Completely Emptied. Why?
The automated and semi-automated container dumping process lifts the container upside down and stops with a slight jolt so waste in the cart will fall out, unless it has been wedged, forced, or compacted into the container with some force. The system works best when the heaviest items are placed at the bottom of the container.
Will My Cart Be Emptied if It Is Placed in the Wrong Spot?
If you find your cart in a different location at the end of the collection day, please note where it is located and set out the cart at this location in the future.
How Do I Dispose of My Yard Trimmings?
Yard waste is collected once a week. Yard waste is anything that grows around your home or property and that you cut. This includes grass clippings, weeds, twigs, branches, palm fronds, leaves, etc. The key to prompt yard waste pickup at your home is proper preparation. Following are some points to remember:
- Yard waste must be cut to proper lengths and placed in containers for collection. Containers need to be plastic or metal and not exceed 40 gallons in capacity and not weigh more than 50 pounds. Do not use the recycling or trash cart for yard waste.
- Branches must be cut in lengths of four feet or less. All branches, leaves, twigs, berries, clippings, etc. must be placed in containers.
- Yard waste is not accepted in plastic bags.
- When placing yard waste at the curb for collection, do not place it on or in storm drains or in any manner that could obstruct drainage.
- Make sure your yard trash is free of any other debris that is not yard waste (such as wood fencing, doors, landscaping timbers, etc.).
- Do not obstruct or conceal fire hydrants with yard waste.
- Do not place yard waste piles under power lines or trees.
- Do not place yard waste over water meters.
- Yard debris may not be placed on vacant lots, City streets, medians or parks.
- Yard waste generated by landscape contractors or tree removal workers must be disposed of by the contractor and is not included within the requirements of the City's sanitation contractor's responsibility.
What About When I Have Generated a Large Quantity of Yard Trimmings?
Large quantity yard trimmings are collected by separate pick-up by a clam truck. Please call Waste Management at: (321) 723-4455 to request a clam truck pick-up when you have a large quantity of yard trimmings.
Can Shredded Paper Be Put in the Recycling Bin?
No. Shredded paper should be bagged and placed in your regular garbage cart.