Yard Trash and Bulky Waste Preparedness Tips

Download the 2011 Hurricane Preparedness brochure (2.11 MB) .

Self-haul your trash and bulky waste to one of the neighborhood Trash & Recycling Centers, open daily from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Schedule a curbside bulky waste pickup. To request a pickup, call 311 or schedule one online.

Dispose of small trash items with twice-weekly garbage collection service. For residents receiving automated collection service, all trash must fit in the green automated waste cart and the lid must close completely. If your household garbage is not collected in an automated waste cart and you receive traditional bag/can garbage collection service, you can set out trash in bags, cans or bundles with your household garbage. The only restrictions are that the items must be containerized or bundled, weigh less than 50 lbs. each and be no longer than 4 feet in length.

Pruning Tips

• Never "top" or "hatrack"  a tree
• Do not remove more than 25% of the tree canopy
• Consult a certified arborist

During a Hurricane Watch

Do not begin any tree pruning or household cleanup activities. Your option will be to self-haul household trash to one of the Neighborhood Trash & Recycling Centers. The Centers will remain open, weather conditions permitting.

During a Hurricane Warning

Garbage and curbside recycling collection will be suspended when weather conditions become unsafe. Secure your waste and recycling containers in a utility room or garage so that they do not become flying debris.

If you must dispose of bulky waste during a Hurricane watch or warning, DO NOT place it on the right-of-way. You can self-haul it to your nearest Trash and Recycling Center. The Trash and Recycling Centers will remain open to accept your household trash, weather conditions permitting.

After a Hurricane

Do:

• Check your local media advisories for information regarding the resumption of waste collection services. Call 311 or visit the County Portal.
• Assess the damage to your trees properly and safely using this guide: English  Spanish
• Do your part! Take small amounts of hurricane debris to the Trash and Recycling Center. 
• Place large piles of hurricane debris on the right-of-way of your property for collection, away from fences, mailboxes, drains, power lines and low hanging wires. 
• Be patient. Due to the high volume of debris that can result from a hurricane, the debris removal process could take longer than normal. 

Don't:

• Place hurricane debris on a vacant lot.
• Place hurricane debris in front of commercial properties including nurseries and farmland. 
• Place non-hurricane related trash on the right-of-way after a hurricane.
  

You can find tips like these and much more at the hurricane prepardeness page on the Hurricane Preparedness website.