New agreement eliminates curbside recycling in Clay County starting October

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Clay County commissioners announced changes to garbage and recycling services starting Oct. 1, which include the elimination of the curbside recycling service.

These changes are part of the new agreement with FCC Environmental Services, the new hauler that will be providing curbside service in Clay County.

According to the county, the curbside collection assessment of $262 will be included in November’s property taxes.

County officials said this new contract will bring an automated garbage collection service. Also, curbside recycling will no longer be available under the new agreement due to “unprecedented cost increases” to residents.

According to the county, adding curbside recycling to the new agreement would have increased the cost to residents now and even more over the next 10 years.

The commission said they do not want to raise the cost of collecting and processing recyclables for residents since about only one-third of residents recycle in the county.

We spoke to a resident who said she is not for this new service.

“My feelings are I’m very disappointed because they’ve gotten rid of recycling altogether,” And we can’t keep putting things into landfill. We’ve got to recycle,” resident Kathy Kass.

Officials said residents will still have service for high-value items until the current contract with Waste Management expires on Sept. 30.

While commissioners voted to remove this service, they said they are open to considering recycling options in the future.

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Here’s what residents can expect from new garbage/recycling services:

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

• Residents will get their carts and more information on the additional services available in September

• Old trash cans can be used for yard trash

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to send an email to askclay@claycountygov.com.