Bradenton is changing bulk trash removal. New $300 illegal dumping fee but $10 pickup
The city of Bradenton approved changes to its trash collection program in an effort to prevent residents from placing bulk items along the street without scheduling the proper pickup.
Bradenton’s official policy has been to collect those items after a customer calls to let the city know that bulk items are sitting outside their home, but in the real world, that system has been abused. At times, the city is forced to pick up huge mounds of garbage without prior notice.
“We’ve found that people put out their trash and just say ‘We’ll wait ‘til the city gets tired of looking at it,’” said City Administrator Rob Perry. “That’s not fair to the neighborhoods. That’s become more of a custom that’s just not fair.”
The new policy, which took effect following a unanimous vote by the Bradenton City Council in December, is meant to encourage compliance with the city’s rules. The city used to charge between $10 and $35 to pick up different items. For example, having a refrigerator picked up used to cost a different price than a table or a washing machine.
Now, there’s a $10 flat fee to pick up each bulk item from a home. That charge is applied to the customer’s utility bill. By making pickup fees cheaper and simpler, city officials hope to push more residents to follow the rules.
“We’re reducing the rate we’re charging. We’re trying to simplify the process,” Public Works Director Jim McLellan said. “One, for our folks to make it more efficient and easier to handle, but also so we can drop that rate and encourage folks to call us so we can pick it up.”
City of Bradenton residents are asked to call the Public Works Department (941) 708-6340 to schedule the collection of bulk items.
Bradenton announces $300 illegal dumping fee
Property owners that allow bulk items to pile up on their property could be hit with fines of up to $300, however. City officials say they will be on the lookout for problem areas where illegal piles of trash are accumulating. A 48-hour notice will be issued to clear the property, but if the city is forced to clear the pile, the property owner could be charged a higher fee for the pickup.
Councilman Patrick Roff said it was unfortunate that the city had been forced to implement fines for nuisance properties but agreed that the issue has gotten out of hand.
“My concerns are the law-abiding citizens that are doing the right thing shouldn’t have to put up with a slob next door,” said Roff. “That’s just not fair. We have to go forward, pick the stuff up, but we need to charge them.”
The overall goal is friendly compliance, said Perry, noting that the new policy will be paired with a public awareness campaign to teach residents the new rules.
“We want a clean city. Part of doing that is a public awareness campaign and making it accessible,” Perry explained. “But we need those tools. We need a hammer and a butterknife, basically. We’re trying to use the butterknife to get people to call for just $10.”
Bradenton’s trouble with bulk item collection has been compounded by a nationwide shortage of employees that are licensed to drive garbage trucks. In recent months, the city has adjusted its recycling and yard waste pickup schedules and also approved an incentive program aimed at retaining employees.
Perry said he plans to increase the pay rates for Public Works employees as well to attract more job candidates. For more information on trash collection, visit www.CityOfBradenton.com/SolidWaste.
This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
