Don't Let Yard Waste Go Uncollected: A Simple Phone Call Is All It Takes

BREVARD COUNTY, FL. – Residents of unincorporated Brevard County whose yard waste is piled high at the curb and is being overlooked during normally scheduled week-day pickups can resolve that issue with a simple phone call. Yard waste piles that exceed normal pickup standards – four-feet in length, 24 inches in diameter and 50 pounds in weight – must be called in to Waste Management for scheduled pickup in unincorporated areas.

Waste Management should be contacted for service for large, loose yard waste piles -- also known as clam truck piles -- and for bulky waste, which is anything too large to fit into a garbage cart, such as furniture. A yard waste piles requires a clam truck if it is over 3 cubic yards, which is about the size of the bed of a full-size pickup truck. Clam piles are schedules and routed for service within three business days of the resident's regular containerized yard waste day.

Here is important information regarding Yard Waste, Mulching and Composting:

Yard waste is any vegetative matter generated from improved real property such as leaves, grass, pine needles or shrubbery cuttings resulting from the care of lawns or landscape maintenance. This may include tree trimmings or removal, if done by the homeowner; and must meet the preparation guidelines. Contractors are responsible for hauling away all yard waste and land clearing.

Yard waste must meet the following guidelines:

• Branches, limbs and palm fronds must be reduced in size not exceeding 4 feet in length, 24 inches in diameter and 50 pounds in weight, separated from other solid waste and placed at your designated collection point.
• Leaves, grass clippings, pine needles or shrubbery cuttings must be containerized in no larger than 40 gallon or less than 5 gallon galvanized metal or durable plastic garbage can.
• PLEASE NOTE: The use of any type of bags (paper or plastic) for yard waste is prohibited.
• Set your yard waste at the curb in time for residential collection which begins at 6:00 a.m. and runs through 8:00 p.m.

Waste Management will pick up all properly prepared yard waste placed at the curb or at the designated collection point from each single-family and multi-family residence, not less than one (1) time per week.

For more information call:

• North Brevard: 636-6894
• South Brevard: 723-4455

Free Mulch

Brevard County residents can get free mulch at any of the locations listed below. Call the facility that is near you for more information and availability.

• Central Disposal Facility, Cocoa 633-1888
• Mockingbird Mulching Facility, Titusville 264-5009
• Sarno Landfill, Melbourne 255-4365

Residents can also take their yard waste to these locations.

Composting

For information on backyard composting call the Agricultural Extension Service in Cocoa at 633-1702 or visit the University of Florida site.