Manatee County Utilities customers soon will be able to experience the 鈥淏ig Bin Advantage,鈥� a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing waste-collection services for residents in unincorporated areas. This program introduces larger, more efficient rolling bins for garbage collection, aligning with industry best practices and allowing for future service improvements.鈥�
“We鈥檙e teaming up with our haulers to roll out a better, more reliable collection system,鈥� said District 1 Commissioner Carol Ann Felts. 鈥淭his proven technology is already working in nearby areas. We know any change takes some getting used to, but this update is important to keep up with the needs of our growing community.鈥�
Residents will receive free 96-gallon garbage bins, which they can begin using immediately. These larger receptacles are designed to accommodate increased waste volumes, reduce litter, and support the County waste haulers as they transition to more efficient, automated collection system. 鈥淭he Big Bin Advantage represents a significant step forward in modernizing our waste-management services,鈥� said Patrick Shea, Manatee County Utilities Director. 鈥淏y adopting larger, standardized bins, we are aligning with industry standards that prioritize efficiency, environmental responsibility, and customer convenience.鈥濃��
The move to larger bins supports the county鈥檚 ongoing efforts to streamline waste collection. Currently, garbage, recycling, and yard waste pickups occur on different days, leading to multiple truck visits each week. The new system will help consolidate these services, allowing all pickups to occur on the same day, thereby reducing truck traffic and wear on neighborhood roads.鈥�
In addition to the new bins, the County is implementing automated-collection methods, enhancing worker safety, reducing operational costs and improving overall service reliability.鈥� The Big Bin Advantage also complements Manatee County鈥檚 already-in-place single-stream recycling program, which simplifies the recycling process by allowing residents to place all recyclable materials into a county-provided container without the need for sorting. 鈥�