GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County waste disposal has its work cut out for it this spring. The season generally leads to people cleaning out their homes, doing more work around their yards and on the exteriors of their houses.

That work creates more waste products and greatly increases what county disposal has to pick up.

“In this unprecedented and challenging time, Waste Management, formally Advanced Disposal, has continued to provide curbside collection services to county residents. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on all of us, and our commitment is to protect our employees while they are providing essential services,” said Amy Boyson, Waste management Inc. Community Affairs Manager. “With people spending more time at home, we have seen residential trash volumes increase up-to 25% in the past year. In addition, we are experiencing labor shortages as our temporary labor providers are seeing a reduction in their employee base due to the federal stimulus checks. Currently, a third-party grapple company is assisting us with the higher yard waste volumes.”

With increased amounts of waste to pick up, the collection crews normally in circulation are slowed down from their normal pace with the need to make more trips back to the Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Management Facility in Green Cove Springs. Those extra trips create a lower process than at other times of the year.

The amount of waste typically varies by household size, but approximately 18,000-20,000 tons of yard waste is collected from residential curbs during an average storm-free year.

During the winter months, the usual amount of waste for each household is about 27 pounds, but during the spring, that number more than doubles, to about 64 pounds. In addition to the increase in volume, there are more stops during the springtime along the collection route than there are in the winter.

The increase in waste material volume could possibly cause delays of up to a day in the pickup process. However, one day would be the maximum delay. Any waste set out for Friday pickup would be taken away by the end of the day on Saturday. Administrative changes also play a role.

“Advanced Disposal was acquired by Waste Management late last year.  Some minor problems are expected as the two companies become one,” said Charlie Latham, the new Director of Environmental Services. “We are in constant contact with Waste Management’s operating location for Clay County and I have recently met with Waste Management’s Area General Manager, Marcel Dalby. I am convinced that they are taking the appropriate steps to solve the recurring issue of missed pickups, and I anticipate the quality of service will improve significantly in short order and for the long term.”

Important items to remember are that no can, bag nor item should weigh more than 50 pounds. Any large tree or plant limbs put out for disposal must be no larger than four feet and it must neatly stacked at curbside for pickup. Also, yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves and the like should be placed in bags or cans that are 40 gallons or smaller.