Communities across Southwest Florida that were impacted by Hurricane Milton are now addressing the debris the storm left behind.
Public drop-off sites have been set up and strict rules about how the debris is to be placed for collection are in place.
LEE COUNTY
Residents who have the ability and desire to self-haul Hurricane Milton debris while waiting for roadside pickup can use four public drop-off sites which will open Monday for vegetative, construction and demolition debris.
Be prepared to show identification and be a resident of unincorporated Lee County. Accepted forms of ID include driver’s license, utility bill, rental or lease agreement, or local business license. You will be asked to complete a waiver confirming the debris came from your property.
Waivers can be found online at https://www.leegov.com/solidwaste/hurricane, or you can receive a form on site.
For residents:
Only storm debris will be accepted, and you must be prepared to unload your trucks yourself. Four locations open Monday with operating hours 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. No more than 5 cubic yards of debris may be dropped off at a time.
- 5031 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia
- 50 South Road, Fort Myers
- 18078 Cypress Point Road, San Carlos Park
- 13801 Orange River Blvd., Buckingham
For businesses:
Lee County commercial businesses are encouraged to take their storm debris to the Waste-to-Energy Facility, 10500 Buckingham Road, and will be charged by weight. It will be open regular hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For landscaping companies:
Landscaping companies hauling vegetative storm debris cleared from residential properties will need a signed declaration from the resident indicating the address where the debris was generated. No debris will be accepted without a signed declaration.
Trash pickup reminder:
Lee County Solid Waste garbage collection will resume Monday on the normally scheduled day for all routes in Lee County franchise areas that are accessible to collection trucks. This collection is for household garbage only − everyday trash items and all spoiled food. Collection of recycling will resume at a later time.
Hazardous Waste:
Residents can drop-off household hazardous waste, free of charge, at the Household Chemical Waste and Electronic Recycling Center located at 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers.
Sanibel
Debris pickup for the City of Sanibel is expected to begin on Wednesday, October 16th. Sanibel residents, who can safely do so, are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right-of-way.
The public right-of-way is the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement. Residents are urged to separate the debris as follows:
- VEGETATIVE DEBRIS (whole trees, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material)
- CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS (damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings, and fixtures)
- APPLIANCES WHITE GOODS (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters)
- ELECTRONIC WASTE (computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.)
- HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.)
Only loose debris will be collected, bagged debris should not be placed on the public right-of-way.
Make every attempt to avoid stacking debris below low hanging power or utility lines, and do not place debris within four feet of:
- MAILBOXES
- WATER METERS
- FIRE HYDRANTS
- ANY OTHER ABOVE GROUND UTILITY
Only debris placed on the public right-of-way will be eligible for collection until further notice. If all debris is not picked up during the initial pass, please continue to push remaining debris to the right-of-way for collection on subsequent passes.
As debris is cleared, it is likely nails and screws will be repeatedly dropped in the roadway. To prevent flat tires, residents are asked to collect and dispose of any nails and screws found in front of residences.
Commercial properties, including condominiums, are not allowed to place storm debris in the public right-of-way. Commercial properties are required to keep debris on their property for their private contractors to haul away.
Fort Myers Beach
Town of Fort Myers Beach, FL – The Town is mobilizing our disaster recovery provider, Crowder Gulf, and FEMA monitor, Tetra Tech, for Hurricane Milton Debris pickup! This team will be collecting four types of storm debris. Each type needs to be in a separate pile in order to be collected.
The four types include:
- Electronic Waste
- Construction Debris (C&D)
- Vegetation
- Appliances
How to put debris out:
- Electronic waste such as computers, printers, copiers, scanners and televisions should be placed in a separate pile.
- Construction and demolition debris includes carpet, furniture, shingles, fencing and other debris resulting from storm damage to homes and structures. This debris will be collected from the curb on multiple passes.
- Vegetative debris includes tree branches, logs and plants. This debris should not be bagged and can be left at the curb. This debris will be collected on multiple passes.
- Appliances can be left at the curb with all food removed. This debris will be picked up on multiple passes.
Collection will begin on Monday, October 14, 2024. Please begin placing your storm debris at the curb throughout the week to ensure you have ample time to have it removed.
Bonita Springs
The City of Bonita Springs has initiated the recovery process following Hurricane Milton. Debris pickup is underway. City residents, who can safely do so, are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right-of-way. The public right-of-way is the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement. Only loose debris will be collected, bagged debris should not be placed on the public right-of-way. Make every attempt to avoid stacking debris below low hanging power or utility lines.
Do not place debris within four feet of:
- Mailboxes
- Water Meters
- Fire Hydrants
- Any other above-ground utility
Only debris placed on the public right-of-way will be eligible for collection until further notice. If all debris is not picked up during the initial pass, please continue to push the remaining debris to the right-of-way for collection on subsequent passes.
Lee County Trash Collections: Regular service will resume Monday, October 14th, 2024, following the regular schedule for all accessible routes within the county’s franchise areas. Only put out trash. Recycling and yard waste collections are delayed until October 21st, 2024.
Collier County
Place Milton debris by the curbside, at least three feet apart, in separate piles of: yard waste, construction and demolition (furniture, carpet), household hazardous waste, electronic waste and appliances.
Do not mix waste piles.
Debris will be collected by a separate hauler than the usual garbage hauler.
When placing curbside, avoid blocking the road, driveways, sidewalks, mailboxes and fire hydrants.
Visit Hurricane Preparedness | Collier County, FL (colliercountyfl.gov) for instructions on setting out yard waste and hurricane debris at the curb. For more information, call Customer Service at 239-252-2380.
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