Monroe County Completes Hurricane Ian Storm Debris Collection; Reminder: Illegal Dumping is a Problem Paid for by Taxpayers

​Monroe County completed its Hurricane Ian storm debris collection. In three weeks, Monroe County collected 866 tons, or 1.7 million pounds, including

• 642 tons of yard/vegetative debris
• 224 tons of white goods and appliances

 
All residents should return to the regular collection policy for yard waste, white goods, and appliances. As a reminder, yard waste receptacles should not weigh more than 50 pounds and should not be more than 12 inches above the container's rim. For vegetation over 50 pounds or bulk piles, contact your franchise hauler to estimate the cost for pickup/removal. Household items like couches or mattresses also require you to contact your local franchise hauler to arrange for a free pickup.
 
It is illegal and can be a felony to dump household appliances, construction materials, boats, trailers, RVs, and vegetative debris on County-owned vacant land and County rights-of-way and streets.
 
When someone illegally dumps, Monroe County taxpayers pay the extra disposal cost. The County is working on curtailing dumping at hotspots by adding surveillance to the areas. Call 9-1-1 for someone ACTIVELY dumping on vacant land or rights-of-way if you see illegal dumping in action. To report dumping that is not actively in progress, call the most appropriate Monroe County Sheriff substation for the area - do not call 9-1-1. Substation phone numbers can be found at www.keysso.net/locations.  
 
"The illegally dumped debris affects our quality of life, wildlife, and marine habitats," said Cheryl Sullivan, Monroe County Director of Solid Waste. "We must discourage this behavior and report it if it is seen in progress."
 
Local haulers can remove many household bulk items at NO COST to the resident, like appliances and furniture, etc. Please contact your hauler to discuss your needs and schedule a pickup. Construction debris and large vegetative piles can be removed by contacting your local hauler for a fee. Call before you put it out curbside. Local haulers in the Florida Keys include:

• Key West to 7 Mile Bridge: Waste Management - 305-296-8297
• 7 Mile Bridge to MM 72.5: Marathon Garbage Service - 305-743-5165
• Village of Islamorada: Advanced Disposal - 305-853-3433
• MM 91 to the County Line: Keys Sanitary Services - 305-451-2025
• Ocean Reef: 305-367-2611

 
Boats, boat trailers, RVs without motors, campers, and other oversized items can be disposed of at one of Monroe County's three transfer stations at a price per ton. To contact a transfer station regarding pricing, call:

• Cudjoe Key: 305-745-2513
• Long Key: 305-664-2263
• Key Largo: 305-367-4236

 
For more information about solid waste, call 305-292-4323 or visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/solidwaste.