GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Tuesday night’s Board of County Commissioners meeting gave an update on implementing the county’s new curbside garbage services.

Beginning on Oct. 1, FCC Environmental will handle all curbside collection services in the county. 

Each household will receive a 95-gallon can, though residents can purchase another can if necessary. The board said 65-gallon cans will be available for smaller accommodations. 

"There also is an opportunity if they need another cart. There'll be a charge for the cart and then a monthly service fee," said Jamey Wilkes, the Department of Environmental Services operations manager.

Wilkes said this is a big change for the county. The new collection assessment will be $262 a year, a $34 increase from before. The assessment will be billed on each resident's annual tax bill. 

However, the change has been met with some opposition. 

The new contract does not include curbside recycling, which has upset many residents. 

Following the county’s Facebook post informing residents of the new change, many commented, noting that the new services will allow for “unnecessary waste filling the landfill” and an increase in cost for fewer services.

According to the county, in September of last year, the county's recycling processor raised the processing fee from $6 a ton to $85 a ton. The county said adding curbside recycling to the new 10-year contract would have significantly increased resident fees.

Wilkes said that residents can only drop off cardboard at any of the four Environmental Convenience Centers around the county and Rosemary Hill. 

Garbage and yard waste will be collected on the same day. All waste must be placed at the curb before 6 a.m. on your scheduled pick-up day.

Only garbage in the can will be picked up, and the can lid must be closed, with the opening facing the road. Additionally, homes with paved roads must place their can at most three feet away from the edge, and those with unpaved roads must place the can at most three feet from the travelway. 

Residents can start expecting deliveries starting on July 29.

The county urges residents not to use the can until Oct. 1, as FCC Environmental will not begin collecting trash until then. 

In other news, the Board of County Commissioners declared July Parks and Recreation Month.

In the official proclamation given at the meeting, the board recognized the facilities and their help in preserving the County's cultural, historical and ecological beauty.