County Awards New Contracts for Garbage Pickup

Hillsborough County commissioners have awarded new contracts for the collection of garbage and recyclables in the county’s service areas.

This award caps a successful competitive bidding effort that will lower annual residential collection rates, introduce automation at curbside and, for the first time, bring in revenues to the county from materials to be recycled.

Commissioners awarded seven-year contracts, with options for three one-year extensions, to Republic Services of Florida, Waste Management Inc. of Florida, and Waste Services of Florida. The new contracts go into effect Oct. 1. The three companies hold the current contracts and were among six companies which submitted bids.

The contracts were awarded for five new residential collection districts:

• District 1: western area of northwest Hillsborough County, including Town ‘N Country, Westchase and the Citrus Park area - Republic Services of Florida
• District 2: portions of northwest and northeast Hillsborough County, including the greater Carrollwood area, Lutz and the University of South Florida area - Waste Services of Florida
• District 3: northeastern Hillsborough County, including Thonotosassa and areas of Brandon north of State Road 60 - Republic Services of Florida
• District 4: central Hillsborough County, including Brandon south of State Road 60, Valrico, Riverview and Lithia – Waste Management Inc. of Florida
• District 5: south Hillsborough County, including Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Sun City Center, Wimauma and Balm – Waste Services of Florida

The contracts were awarded for Option 2: “2-1-1 Automated Service,” meaning that county residential garbage customers will continue to receive twice-weekly garbage collection, once-weekly recyclables collection and once-weekly yard waste collection.

But beginning this October, customers will be bringing garbage and recyclables to the curb in wheeled carts provided by the county for emptying by specially equipped trucks.

Commercial customers will be able to negotiate directly with any of the three haulers.

The current solid waste collection contracts have been in place for nearly 17 years. The 2-1-1 Automated Service option is projected to save the county more than $7.5 million annually, a 22 percent reduction than if the current contracts had been renewed.

In addition, commissioners also awarded a separate contract to Waste Services of Florida for processing and marketing of the recyclable materials the three haulers collect. Currently, the county receives no money from the sale of such materials. Under the contract, Waste Services will return a portion of the value of the recyclables to the county, meaning at least $1 million in new revenue for the county annually.