Manatee County residents react to new ‘Big Bin Advantage’ trash service

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Manatee County is making changes to its trash services with the “Big Bins Advantage” program, which starts Oct. 6. 

Residents in unincorporated parts of the county will each receive a 96-gallon trash bin. The county says the program will reduce truck traffic and save taxpayers money.

Fourth-generation Myakka City resident Susie Brown lives on a small six-acre farm off State Road 64, and says she wants what’s best for her county, which is why she is concerned about the upcoming changes to trash service in unincorporated Manatee County.

She says this rural community supports one another.

“This county means a lot to me because it’s my family heritage,” she said.

The “Big Bins Advantage” program will provide one 96-gallon trash bin to each resident.

“It’s just — it’s huge,” she said.

The county says recycling and waste pickup will occur once a week instead of twice a week. The new bins are also four inches taller and one inch wider than the current bins.

Brown says the size of the bins could be an issue, since one driveway is shared by three separate homes.

“They’ve got to be three feet apart. We can’t get in and out of the driveway. I mean, I haul horses, I have horse trailers. My neighbors leave early with their trailers for work, and it makes pulling in and out really difficult,” she said.

She also worries about safety when bringing the larger bins to the end of her driveway.

“It’s the safety of putting them out there — (because as you can hear), the traffic’s really bad,” she said.

But Brown says the county is trying to address her concerns. County officials told Spectrum News they are helping residents on a case-by-case basis, saying,“We’ve seen tremendous cooperation from our haulers in adapting quickly when adjustments are needed.”

Brown says she is not the only one concerned about the new program, but she’s hopeful the county will work with her toward a solution.

The county reminds residents to place all items curbside by 6 a.m. on collection day.