Solid Waste Ordinance Revisions Updates
To support the County’s 2020 30-year Solid Waste Master Plan and its vision of zero waste to landfill by 2050, a countywide focus on waste reduction and recycling is needed.
Pinellas County’s Chapter 106 Solid Waste Ordinance (ordinance) has not been significantly revised since the 1980s. The Master Plan recommends updating this ordinance.
August 10, 2023, Board of County Commissioners Work Session
At the August 10, 2023 Board of County Commissioners (Board) Work Session, the Board provided unanimous direction for Pinellas County Solid Waste to develop ordinance content, re-engage stakeholders and make any necessary revisions, submit for legal review, and schedule public hearings for Board consideration and approval in the summer of 2024. In an effort to better gauge citizen impact, the Board directed department staff to investigating haulers’ fees to provide combined garbage and recycling collection service in unincorporated areas. To view the Work Session presentation, view the recording and the video below.
July 2023 Public Input Meetings
Pinellas County Solid Waste (SW) gave an overview of the current solid waste management system and explained why countywide waste reduction and recycling programs are needed. The public was able to provide input to be considered in drafting potential ordinance revisions that may affect residents and businesses in the unincorporated areas. This was one of several public engagement opportunities within the next 12 months.
Earlier this year, SW held meetings with private haulers, municipalities and select county departments for their input on potential ordinance revisions.
Public input meetings were held in July at the following locations:
- Tuesday, July 11 – St. Petersburg College EpiCenter, Clearwater
- Monday, July 17 – Virtual (view recording here and video below)
- Wednesday, July 19 – White Chapel, Palm Harbor
July 17, 2023 Virtual Public Input Meeting Recording
Timestamps have been inserted in the recording. After opening video, hover over play bar to see timestamp descriptions.
Media Coverage Summary
- July 7, 2023 Tampa Bay Times – Pinellas seeks input for mandatory recycling, facing solid waste strain
- July 7, 2023 10 Tampa Bay – Pinellas County wants your input on recycling changes
- July 7, 2023 ABC Action News – Pinellas County waste facilities face capacity issues with population growth
- July 8, 2023 Fox 13 Tampa Bay – Pinellas County landfills may hit capacity in a few years as more people move to area
- July 10, 2023 (julio 10, 2023) Telemundo 49 – Buscan opinión de residentes sobre gestión de desechos en Pinellas
- July 13, 2023 WUSF – Pinellas says mandatory recycling could keep its solid waste facility from reaching capacity
- July 18, 2023 St. Pete Catalyst – Pinellas County has a Waste Conundrum
- July 19, 2023 10 Tampa Bay – Pinellas County neighbors voice opinions on area’s future of recycling and waste management
- August 8, 2023 WMNF – Pinellas weighs expanded recycling while Polk retreats
Additional Resources
- Where Does It Go? Search Tool
- Recycle Guide & Downloadable Signage
- Household Chemical Collection
- Collection: Garbage & Recycling
- Hours: Solid Waste Disposal Complex
- Disposal Fee Information
- Educational Resources: Garbage and Recycling
- Recycling FAQ
- Map of Recycling Drop-Off Centers
- Artificial Reef Program
- Mulch Pickup Program
- For Businesses: Garbage & Recycling Resources
- How Mixed Recycling Works In Pinellas County
- Video Library: Garbage and Recycling
- Holiday and Gift-Giving Guide
- Pinellas Partners in Recycling
- Waste-to-Energy Facility
- Bridgeway Acres Landfill
- Solid Waste Master Plan
- Solid Waste Disposal Accounts
- Lealman Garbage and Recycling Collection
- Tampa Bay Recycles
- Why Recycling Is Important
- Discover Careers with Pinellas County Solid Waste
Questions?
Email us at recycle@pinellas.gov.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2023.