Sarasota County residents may have new garbage pickup day starting March 31

With a new waste collection process looming on March 31, Sarasota County residents can see what their new garbage collection day is using an online map.

In 2024, Sarasota County ended its 20-year partnership with Waste Management. Waste Pro of Florida and FCC Environmental Services signed four year contracts beginning at the end of March for garbage collection services.

The two providers will split services across two districts of unincorporated Sarasota County. Waste Pro will cover the North District, an area north of State Road 72 and east of Midnight Pass Road. FCC Environmental will cover the South District, which encompasses coastal areas and eastern Sarasota County.

“Garbage, recycling and yard waste will continue to be collected on one day,” a county fact sheet said. “There are no changes to recycling. Continue using your blue recycling cart and follow current disposal guidelines.”

There is also no change to yard waste collection guidelines.

The county is still delivering new garbage carts to residents, a process scheduled to be completed by March 23. There were three sizes to choose from: 95-gallon, 65-gallon, and 35-gallon, although exchanges will be available in July.

Those who live in the cities of North Port, Sarasota, and Venice are excluded, but the county map provides links for those residents to find more information on their garbage collection.

Over each company’s respective four-year contract, the county will pay FCC Environmental Services $7.1 million and Waste Pro $5.8 million, according to county records.

Those who want more information on new garbage collection services, or to check their new collection date, can visit https://www.scgov.net/government/solid-waste

Christian Casale covers local government for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Email him at ccasale@gannett.com or christiancasale@protonmail.com