Old recycle containers now ... Has- bins

Recycling matters.

But what about size? What about timing?

Lakewood Ranch residents say both could prove to be major issues as Manatee County rolls out delivery of its new single-stream recycling carts to single-family homes July 11 through September.

The carts will replace the two 18-gallon containers that have been used for decades.

“I don’t have space for the big container,” Summerfield resident Bob Swiatek told Manatee County utilities department representatives during a Lakewood Ranch Community Development District meeting on June 9. “It’s problematic if there are two cars in the garage. If you move it outside, you get fined (by the HOA).”

“I have a very small house with a very small garage,” Country Club resident Jacqueline Borda said. “What are we going to do? Where should I keep that monster you put in my driveway?”

Summerfield Hollow resident Posy Havens liked the idea of a cart with wheels. Havens didn’t see size as a problem. “It seems like a nonissue,” she said.

Another resident concern is the new bins’ summertime arrival.

CDD 6 Supervisor Jim Rogoze said as many as 60% of residents of his 443-home community could be away over the summer, counting snowbirds and residents on vacation.

“You should consider November/December delivery,” Supervisor Hank Hofeler said of handing out the new carts. “That’s the time period I think you need to focus on, or have a truck come through a few days later maybe to pick up (carts still outside).”

Arthur Taber, of the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, asked what the neighborhood should do if 30 carts are left untouched outside.

“We need guidance as to what happens,” he said. “We’ll do the best we can, but it’s an obvious problem.”

Gus DiFonzo, deputy director of Manatee County’s Utilities Department, promised to find a solution for Lakewood Ranch.

“What hit me today was the percentage of winter residents,” DiFonzo said. “It hasn’t echoed as much of an issue with other neighborhoods as it has with Lakewood Ranch. Between us and our haulers, we need to address their concerns. It will give us a protocol to address other communities.”

The utilities department already has started sending notice of the changes to its 100,000 users and hoped snowbirds or other out-of-town customers would arrange to have neighbors, friends or family bring the carts inside upon delivery.

But that answer isn’t sufficient for Lakewood Ranch. DiFonzo said he and his team will “regroup” to come up with solution.

Manatee County will stick with delivering the 64-gallon cart because it is the cart of choice for the program. Haulers have said offering multiple sizes at the time of countywide delivery causes problems. However, residents can reject delivery of the carts and Manatee County will record the reasons why so it can work through issues after the rollout is completed.

“There are alternatives. We just don’t want to speculate until we have the information. We don’t want it to hinder the rollout,” DiFonzo said.

The single-stream system will allow users to place all recyclables into one container, rather than sorting them between paper in one bin and plastic and glass in the other. The simplification has proven to increase recycling by 10% to 15% in counties nationwide that have made the change.

Manatee County’s waste haulers, WastePro and Waste Management, are investing a combined $7 million on the new carts, which become property of Manatee County when their service contracts expire.

DiFonzo said Manatee County’s goal is to reach the state goal of 75% recycling by 2020. Manatee is at 51%.

Officials hope single-stream recycling preserves the lifespan of the Lena Road Landfill, which is expected to last until 2042.