Hurricane season begins June 1!

It's never too early to begin preparing, so the time to start is now.

Prevent objects from becoming dangerous projectiles during a hurricane; the time to clear your home and yard of trash or trim your trees is before a storm threatens.

Yard Trash and Bulky Waste Preparedness Tips

• Download the 2007 Department of Solid Waste Management Hurricane Preparedness brochure.  
• Self-haul your trash and bulky waste to one of the neighborhood  Trash & Recycling Centers; open daily from 7 am to 5:30 pm.
• Schedule a curbside bulky waste pickup. To request a pickup, call 305-594-1500 or  schedule one online.
• For smaller items, set out trash in bags, cans or bundles with your household garbage. The only restrictions are that the items must be containerized or bundled, less than 50 lbs. each and no longer than 4 feet in length. For residents receiving automated collection service, all trash must fit in the  EZ GO Waste Cart

Pruning Tips

• Never "top" or "hatrack"  a tree
• Do not remove more than 25% of the tree canopy
• Consult a certified arborist
  

During a Hurricane Watch

• Do not begin any tree pruning or household cleanup activities.  Your option will be to self-haul household trash to one of the  Neighborhood Trash & Recycling Centers. The Centers will remain open weather conditions permitting.

During a Hurricane Warning

• Garbage and curbside recycling collection will be suspended. Secure your waste and recycling containers in a utility room or garage so that they do not become flying debris.
• If you must dispose of bulky waste during a Hurricane watch or warning, DO NOT place it on the right-of-way. You can self-haul it to your nearest  Trash and Recycling Center. The Trash and Recycling Centers will remain open to accept your household trash weather conditions permitting.

After a Hurricane

Do:

• Check your local media advisories for information regarding the resumption of waste collection services call 311 or visit the  County Portal
• Assess the damage to your trees properly and safely using this guide: English  Spanish
• Do your part! Take small amounts of hurricane debris to the  Trash and Recycling Center. 
• Place large piles of hurricane debris on the right-of-way of your property for collection, away from fences, mailboxes, drains, power lines and low hanging wires. 
• Be patient. Due to the high volume of debris that can result from a hurricane, the debris removal process could take longer than normal. 

Don't:

• Place hurricane debris on a vacant lot.
• Place hurricane debris in front of commercial properties including nurseries and farmland. 
• Place non-hurricane related trash on the right-of-way after a hurricane.
  

You can find tips like these and much more at the hurricane prepardeness page on the  Hurricane Preparedness website.