PORT CHARLOTTE — After nearly two weeks of recovery since Hurricane Milton, debris collection continues across Southwest Florida.
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently called on local governments to prioritize debris collection and road clearance, citing the approval of FEMA funding for those purposes.
That funding will cover 100% of costs incurred by state agencies and local governments for the first 90 days after Hurricane Milton.
CHARLOTTE COUNTYThe Charlotte County Public Works department outlined the rules for gathering debris for local residents in a recent news release.
“Clearing and removing storm debris is a major part of the recovery effort,” the release read. “Charlotte County Public Works asks for residents’ cooperation to properly separate storm debris by category and adhere to the collection guidelines.”
Debris is being separated into six categories:Construction/demolition materials (including non-recyclable materials like drywall and floor tiles)White goods (such as home appliances like stoves and freezers)VegetationElectronic waste (computers, televisions, and other electronic goods meant for recycling or reuse)Household hazardous wasteRegular household garbage
Residents are reminded to clean out food from freezers or refrigerators prior to preparing them for pickup.
The disposal of certain kinds of hazardous household waste (including batteries, paint, oils, and pesticides) should be done at Charlotte County’s mini-transfer stations in:
West Charlotte: 7070 Environmental Way, Port CharlotteMid-County: 19765 Kenilworth Blvd., Port Charlotte
Both are open extended hours from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday through Nov. 5.
Residents are asked to sort storm debris by category and place the piles in the county-maintained roads and rights-of-way, ensuring they are off the road and not on private property. Disposal crews will not enter private property to remove vegetation.
Normal household waste, recyclables, and bagged debris will not be collected alongside storm debris.
For more information on the Solid Waste Division, local residents can visit www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/solidwaste.
SARASOTA COUNTYSimilar rules for debris separation apply in Sarasota County, though the schedule for collection was recently amended.
In a recent news release, Sarasota County stated Waste Management would be operating on a delayed schedule starting on Oct. 21.
“Our teams have observed a large amount of regular garbage, recycling, and yard waste materials at the curb over the past week,” the release noted.
Debris from Friday customers was collected Monday, with all subsequent collections for this week being delayed to the next day. Any leftover debris may be left at the curb for the next week’s collection
County residents are asked to visit scgov.net or call 311 for questions about storm-related issues like debris collection, or request or view the county’s collection zone map or modified collection schedule.
Public drop-off sites for vegetation debris continue to operate at Rothenbach Park in Sarasota and the Jackson Road Transfer Station in Venice. Both locations are open for no-cost drop off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
“Residents must self-unload all vegetative storm debris,” the release noted.
Proof of Sarasota County residency, such as a driver’s license or a tax bill, is required for drop-off service; a utility bill can also be used for proof of residency.
Volunteer groups may haul and unload vegetative storm materials on behalf of a resident, but must fill out a Public Drop-off Site Verification Form at time of disposal.
No commercial debris or vehicles are permitted to use the sites.
DESOTO COUNTYResidents in DeSoto County are reminded that debris collection will be separated into the similar categories.
However, collection crews in DeSoto County will not be collecting hazardous household waste or household garbage.
In a news release, DeSoto County officials emphasized that debris should be placed along the curb.
“Arcadia and DeSoto County were fortunate to experience less damage from Milton than initially anticipated,” the statement read. “However resources are limited following several storms...cleanup may take a little longer.”
Residents are reminded to keep debris out of the road or local drainage ditches. However, curb placement does not apply to commercial mobile home or RV parks.
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