Final debris collection pass for Sarasota residents begins Monday

Debris collection contractors for the city of Sarasota will begin to make the final pass for pickup starting Monday, Nov. 25, the residents are urged to have all hurricane-related debris prepared and left curbside.

Since storm debris collection began 37 days ago, city contractors have removed more than 290,000 cubic yards, or more than 400,000 tons of debris citywide. This is more than eight times the amount of debris collected over the same period following Hurricane Irma in 2017. Approximately 73% of the estimated volume has been collected thus far.

“We are encouraging residents to take time this weekend and prepare any remaining storm debris for collection,” said Public Works Department General Manager Todd Kucharski in a news release. “Debris must be hurricane-related to be collected. Residents will need to call the Solid Waste Division for special pickup of non-hurricane-related items.”

Guidelines for storm debris preparation include: 

• Separate debris into piles for vegetative debris, construction/demolition debris, bulk items, and appliances..
• Do not place any storm debris in plastic bags.
• Ensure debris piles are at least six feet away from obstructions including utility poles, mailboxes, backflow preventers, water meters, trees and vehicles.

Vegetative waste that is still green, recently cut or newly fallen will not be collected by storm debris contractors and should instead be properly prepared as regular yard waste for pickup. For special pickup of non-hurricane-related items, call the Solid Waste Division at 941-263-6170.