CLAY COUNTY - Commissioners voted on an agreement to change garbage and recycling services on Oct. 1.  The full article is here: https://www.claycountygov.com/Home/Components/News/News/3749/1512  

 

Through a competitive bid process, FCC Environmental Services provided the best proposal and will be the new hauler providing curbside service in Clay County.  The county will join many others across the state and move to an automated garbage collection service. Also, in a decision that was based upon excessive and unprecedented cost increases to our residents, curbside recycling will no longer be available under this new agreement. Residents will still have curbside recycling service for high-value items until the current contract with Waste Management expires on Sept. 30. Any future recycling options will be reviewed and brought to commissioners for consideration. 

 

Recycling 

This contract does not include curbside recycling. Throughout several Board of County Commissioner meetings, commissioners discussed the high cost to residents for collecting and processing recyclables. In September of 2023, the county’s recycling processor (GEL Corp) raised the county’s processing fee from a credit of $6 a ton to a charge of $85 a ton (a swing of $91 a ton).  Adding curbside recycling would have increased the cost to residents now and potentially significantly more over the 10-year contract.  Under the new agreement, the county may restart the curbside recycling service with a one-year notice to the hauler, FCC Environmental Services. Commissioners acknowledged only about one-third of Clay residents recycle, but all would pay the cost increase for recycling. Ultimately, a majority vote by commissioners determined curbside collection would not be included in the agreement. 

 

 

• Garbage pickup once a week
• Residents will get a 95-gallon wheeled cart with an attached lid
• Yard trash pickup once a week
• Bulk item pickup once a month

Additional services are available to accommodate large amounts of trash or assistance to residents who can’t bring their carts to the curb. 

Residents will get their carts and more information on the additional services available in September. Old trash cans can be used for yard trash

 

What’s the cost? 

The curbside collection assessment of $262, plus a disposal fee of $96 for a total of $358, will go into effect on Oct. 1 and will be included in the November property tax bill. 

 

Recycling high-value items 

In December, the county released a campaign to educate residents on a shift of what recyclable items are now accepted and why. The focus is on high-value items: 

clean and flat corrugated cardboard up to 3 feet by three feet  (no pizza or cereal boxes).

Only Nos. 1 and 2 plastic bottles, jugs (for example,  water and soda bottles, milk and laundry jugs), and metal cans.  

 

This new recycling method will still be in effect until Sept. 30.  The County must focus on high-value recyclable items to avoid a $232,489 annual cost increase. This local, state and nationwide problem requires everyone to recycle correctly. 

 

Over the next several months, the county will release more information about the new services, when your cart will arrive, how to sign up for additional services, how to find out your pickup days, how to report an issue and more. If you have any questions, email askclay@claycountygov.com.