Manatee Locals Respond to ‘Big Bin Advantage’ Waste Management Service

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — With the launch of the “Big Bins Advantage” program on October 6, Manatee County is implementing significant changes to its trash services.

Residents living in unincorporated areas will receive a new 96-gallon trash bin, aimed at reducing truck traffic and ultimately saving taxpayers money.

Fourth-generation Myakka City resident Susie Brown, who owns a small six-acre farm off State Road 64, voices her concerns regarding the alterations to trash service in her area. For her, the county represents her family heritage, making this issue particularly important.

“This county means a lot to me because it’s my family heritage,” she noted.

The program’s provision of a 96-gallon trash bin seems significant. “It’s just — it’s huge,” Brown emphasized, highlighting the potential impact on her community.

Under the new plan, recycling and waste pickups will shift to a once-a-week schedule, and the new bins will be four inches taller and one inch wider than the existing ones. Brown expresses concern that the increased bin size could complicate logistics; she shares a driveway among three homes.

“They’ve got to be three feet apart. We can’t get in and out of the driveway. I haul horses, I have horse trailers. My neighbors leave early with their trailers for work, and it makes pulling in and out really difficult,” she explained.

Safety is another concern for Brown when placing the larger bins at the end of her driveway. “It’s the safety of putting them out there — (because as you can hear), the traffic’s really bad,” she said.

Despite her worries, Brown feels reassured that the county is willing to address these concerns directly. County officials have mentioned that they are assisting residents with individual issues, stating, “We’ve seen tremendous cooperation from our haulers in adapting quickly when adjustments are needed.”

Brown is not alone in her concerns but remains hopeful that the county will collaborate with her to find manageable solutions. Residents are reminded to place all items curbside by 6 a.m. on collection days.