Environmental & Extension Services - Solid Waste Division

Once-A-Week Automated Garbage Collection

FAQs - "Keep it in the Cart"
Complete Solid Waste Service Guide
How to Properly Place your Garbage Cart: Flyer - Video
Don Pedro and Knight Islands Service Information
Find Your Service Day By Address • By Map

History

In June of 2008, the Charlotte County identified numerous benefits in changing to once-a-week automated garbage collection. On October 6, 2008, Charlotte County began automated garbage collection for all unincorporated areas of the county. The benefits which have been found by changing to once-a-week automated service are: reduced travel on county roads, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and a ate reduction to county residents.

The change has also provided a neater curbside appearance and makes it easier for residents to wheel their garbage to the street. Residents living in condominiums (with dumpster service) have NOT been affected by these changes—the services they have and currently enjoy will continue as they are.

Program Basics

All residents of unincorporated Charlotte County are entitled to the new garbage cart service plus two green recycling bins. Please remember that each cart is the property of Charlotte County and they are provided to our residents as part of their service. If you move you must leave the cart behind for the next residents/tenants. A serial number on the front of the cart indicates that the container is registered to only one address and must remain at that address. The container should not be removed by anyone other than a Solid Waste employee.

Collections are Monday through Friday with the exception of Christmas, Thanksgiving, and July 4. If the holiday falls on a weekday, services will be delayed by one day for that week only. For example: If the holiday falls on Thursday then Thursday services will be provided on Friday, and Friday services on Saturday.
New Years Day will be a working day and residents will not have a service interruption if this holiday falls on their normal collection day.
All single-family residences have been provided a garbage cart container (with attached lid). The cart is picked up by an automated truck “arm” from in front of their residence. The garbage carts are made of durable plastic and come in 2 different sizes. Most customers have a 95 gallon sized cart (capable of holding the capacity of 3-4 garbage cans worth of garbage). Some have the 65 gallon sized cart (capable of holding the capacity of 2-3 garbage cans worth of garbage).
Cart Measurements
Up to 6 additional collections per year are provided per residence to provide for refuse that exceeds the capacity of the cart. Please see “Keep it in the Cart”.
In addition to the garbage cart, every resident is entitled to two green recycling bins. One recycling bin is used for all paper items including cardboard; which should be flattened and placed under the paper recycling bin –approximately 3’x3’ in dimension and the other recycling bin is used for all glass, cans, and #1 and #2 coded plastics (coded on the bottom of the plastic item). Residents can pick up their recycle bins at either of our two county Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facilities, request them online or call 941.764.4360.
Yard trimmings should be placed in either paper yard trimmings bags or standard garbage cans.
All other services provided under the current contract will continue including bulk pick-up, appliance pick-up and curbside yard waste and recycling service.

How and where do I place my Cart & Recycling Bins?
The wheels of the cart must face your home. Place your garbage cart at least 5 feet away from mailboxes, parked cars or other obstacles. (Residents should place all garbage in plastic bags prior to putting it in the cart). Wherever possible, place your garbage cart on one of side of the driveway and your recycling bins and yard trimmings container/bags on the other. If not possible to split up your garbage and recyclables by way of a driveway, place the garbage cart 5 feet away from the recycling bins and yard trimmings for ease of removal. Flyer Video

Maintenance/Replacement of Garbage Cart
Each Charlotte County resident is responsible for routine maintenance such as keeping the carts clean, removing the carts from the street or lane after collection and storing the carts in a safe place just as they would do with their own garbage cans. Any issues with cart maintenance should be referred to Waste Management at 941.629.1106 or 1.800.697.0012 from Englewood.

Damaged Garbage Carts
The wheeled cart is the property of Charlotte County. Waste Management is our County’s franchise hauler and should be called regarding damaged carts. Please call Waste Management at 941.629.1106 or 1.800.697.0012 from Englewood.

Missing/Stolen Garbage Carts
Any carts that are reported stolen must be reported to Charlotte County Environmental & Extensions Department. For every cart reported as stolen, a police report is filed and every attempt is made to apprehend the missing cart. To report a missing or stolen cart please call 941.764.4360 or 941.697.4000 ext. 4360 from Englewood.

Service Day Collections – For Garbage, Recycling & Yard Trimmings
All garbage, recycling and yard trimmings should be placed curbside by 5 a.m. on your collection day. Find what day your garbage, recycling and yard trimmings are picked up:
Find Your Service Day By Address • By Map