Frequently Asked Questions:

 

 

WHY IS THE CITY CHANGING TO HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE AUTOMATED COLLECTION SERVICE WITH WHEELED CARTS AT THIS TIME? 

 

The City executed a 7-year garbage collection contract with Republic Services of Orlando in October 2008, which called for transition to Household Garbage Automated Collection using a special collection truck and household wheeled garbage cart.  The new truck uses a mechanical arm to pick up and empty the cart.

Benefits include:

 

• The wheeled cart is easy to roll to and from the curb on the scheduled collection days.
• Blowing and littering garbage is reduced because the wheeled cart is heavier and the lid is attached. 
• The are fewer injuries to garbage collection workers because the wheeled cart is lifted and emptied automatically by the mechanical arm o f the truck
• The wheeled cart is a cleaner way to containerize and service solid waste. It is designed to be impervious to animals and insects and is very stable so it will not tip over easily. The lid is attached and fits snugly over the container, keeping out water and reducing odors. Since it is attached, it will not blow off even in high winds. In addition, the smooth interior and exterior of the cart makes it easy to clean

  

IS MY GARBAGE COLLECTION FEE GOING TO INCREASE AT THIS TIME?

The rates charged for garbage collection in the City of Oviedo is $20.21 per residential unit as of October 1, 2008. The new competitively bid service will increase the number of products that you can recycle and provides for automated cart collection beginning in 2009.  Of the $20.21 monthly rate, $18.31 is paid to the City’s solid waste contractor, Republic Services, and the balance is remitted to the City in the form of a $0.80 handling fee and $1.10 franchise fee. 

WHAT ARE THE KEY RULES FOR USE OF THE WHEELED CART? 

 

• Place only Household Garbage inside the cart (not recycling, yard waste, or hazardous waste).
• Do not put hot coals or ashes in the cart.
• Bag garbage before placing it inside the cart to keep it clean and to control odors. This is very important!
• Place your cart so the wheel side is away from the street.
• Close lid completely and do not place anything on top of the lid.
• Allow three feet (3) of clearance on all sides of the cart.
• Return cart near residence after collection.

WHEN WILL THE AUTOMATED GARBAGE COLLECTION START? 

 

Automated garbage collection from household garbage wheeled carts will begin the week of March 2^nd, 2009.  All garbage, recycling, yard waste, bulky items and appliances should be out before 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled pick up day.

HOW AND WHEN ARE THE WHEELED CARTS BEING DISTRIBUTED? 

 

New green 95-gallon household garbage carts are scheduled for delivery to all residents assessed for garbage collection in the City of Oviedo starting February 9^th, 2009 through Friday February 20^th, 2009.

 

The green wheeled cart is the property of the City of Oviedo and is marked with the City logo and a serial number.  The serial number assigns a particular wheeled cart to a specific address.  The wheeled cart is to remain at its specific address if you move.

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW MY GARBAGE, RECYCLING, YARDWASTE, BULKY ITEMS, OR APPLIANCES COLLECTION DAYS? 

 

Check the Residential Solid Waste Collection Schedule & Map (2 pages) or and Day Change Notification included your information packet delivered with your cart.   You can also check the on the City’s website, www.cityofoviedo.net or call Republic Services at (407) 293-8000.

ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO MY COLLECTION DAYS? 

 

• Household Garbage will be collected once a week with the City divided into 5 collection areas. (See Service Map included with your Users Guide)
• Recycling will be collected once a week on your assigned Garbage day.
• Appliances and Bulky Items that do not fit in the cart will be collected once a week on Wednesday. Please call Republic Services at (407) 293-8000 to schedule collection of all appliance and bulky items.
• Please refer to the City of Oviedo Solid Waste Program Users Guide for more information regarding collections days, as well as the Day Change Notification included with your cart. You can also check the on the City’s website www.cityofoviedo.net or call Republic Services at (407) 293-8000.

  

All garbage, recycling, yard waste, bulky items and appliances are to be placed curbside before 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.

WHAT IF MY COLLECTION DAY FALLS ON A HOLIDAY?   

 

Republic Services will not provide collection services on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years holidays in recognition of those holidays. However, SERVICE FOR THOSE DAYS WILL BE MADE UP FOR THAT WEEK. For residents whose service day is effected by one or more of these holidays, Republic Services will collect garbage on the Yard Waste Day for those customers. In other words, if Christmas falls on Thursday, which is your normal garbage service day, Republic will pick up your garbage on Friday that week. Republic Services will provide holiday service schedule notification in the Orlando Sentinel and Seminole Chronicle during the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. You may also find information regarding holiday schedules on the City of Oviedo website at www.cityofoviedo.net.

WHERE DO I PLACE THE WHEELED CART ON COLLECTION DAY? 

Place the cart at the end of your driveway, at the edge of the street, or next to the curb with the wheels facing your property.  The arrows on the lid of the wheeled cart must point toward the street and away from your property. 

Be certain the cart is placed at least three (3) feet away from your mail box, utility plies, bushes, trees, gas or water meters, fire hydrants, cars, sprinkler heads, or anything the automated collection equipment could damage, or come in contact with. It is best to place your garbage cart on the opposite side of your mailbox.

 

Move your household garbage wheeled cart out for collection before 6:00 a.m. on your collection day or the night before.  Please remove your cart from the curb by end of day.

 

If there is a ditch in front of your property, place the cart on the street side of the ditch, if possible.

 

Place your wheeled cart within your residential property lines near the street, not next to someone’s else’s property or next to city property.  (This also applies to yard waste, appliances, and bulky items.)

WHAT ABOUT STREET PARKING ON COLLECTIONS DAYS? 

 

If at all possible, do not park any vehicle at the curb on collection day.  At a minimum, remember to position your household garbage wheeled cart, bulky items, appliances, and / or yard waste in such a manner that there is (3) three feet of unobstructed space on all sides.  If a car or anything else is blocking safe access to your garbage cart, recycle bins, yard waste, or bulk items the scheduled collection cannot occur.  It will be collected on your next regularly scheduled pick up day.

DO I USE A WHEELED CART FOR HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE IF I LIVE ON A NARROW ROAD, ALLEY OR CUL DE SAC WHERE THE AUTOMATED COLLECTION TRUCK HAS DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING? 

 

Yes.  All residential household garbage is to be collected from the wheeled carts.  The collection contractor will make necessary adjustments to collect garbage from wheeled carts along narrow roads and alleys with limited access.

WHAT DO I PUT IN THE NEW HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE WHEELED CART? 

 

The wheeled cart is to be used for household garbage ONLY.  Garbage should be bagged before it is placed in the cart.  Placing your garbage in plastic bags will keep your cart clean and minimize odors.

DO NOT put into your cart  hot ashes or coals, recyclables items, household hazardous waste and medical waste, paint, and any yard waste such as bagged or loose grass, leaves or small branches.

 

Do not overfill the wheeled cart.  The lid must remain closed to allow for automated collection, to prevent littering, and to help control odor and varmints.  Occasionally hose out your cart.

WHEN DO I DISPOSE OF BULKY ITEMS THAT DO NOT FIT INSIDE THE CART? 

Garbage too big, bulky or heavy to fit in the wheeled cart is considered a “Bulky Item.”  Bulky items MUST BE SCHEDULED. Call Republic Service at (407) 293-8000 prior to noon Tuesday to be place on the following day’s Bulk Item Pickup List.

 

Bulky Items include such items as furniture, large household trash, rolled carpet and carpet padding, bicycles, lawn mowers, trimmers, mattresses, loose items in open boxes, carpeting, computers and other electronic equipment.

 

Bulky items should be placed curbside and at least (3) three feet away from your household garbage wheeled cart, mailboxes, utility poles, trees, gas or water meters, fire hydrants, cars, sprinkler heads or anything collection equipment could damage or come in contact with.  DO NOT mix Bulky Items with other items including your wheeled cart, recycle bins, and appliances. If items are mixed, we will not be able to perform collection services that day.

 

Also, up to four (4) tires per vehicle per year may be placed curbside for collection on Wednesdays, separated from other items to be collected.

WHEN DO I DISPOSE OF APPLIANCES? 

Appliances will be collected on Wednesdays ONLY, separately from bulky items.  Appliances must be scheduled.  Call Republic Service at (407) 293-8000 prior to noon Tuesday to be place on the following day’s Appliance Pickup List.

 

Appliances include such items as hot water heaters, microwave ovens, stoves refrigerators, washers, dryers, freezers and other large appliances.

 

Appliances should be placed curbside and at least (3) three feet away from your household garbage wheeled cart, bulky items for collection, appliances for collection, mailboxes, utility poles, trees, gas or water meters, fire hydrants, cars, sprinkler heads or anything collection equipment could damage or come in contact with.  DO NOT mix Bulky Items, Appliances and Yard waste, or collection cannot take place.

 

Also, up to four (4) tires per vehicle per year may be placed curbside for collection on Wednesdays, separated from other items to be collected.

HOW DO I DISPOSE OF MY YARDWASTE? 

 

You may use plastic bags, bundles, or your old garbage can for collection of yard waste.  DO NOT use the new wheeled cart.    Place the yard waste bags, bundles, or can at the curb, at least (3) three feet away from household garbage wheeled carts, mailboxes, utility poles, trees, gas or water meters, fire hydrants, cars, sprinkler heads, or anything else the collection equipment could damage or come in contact with.

 Non-containerized yard waste must tied, stacked, and bundled in (4) four feet length or less (except palm fronds) or (4) four inches in radius and weigh not more than 50 pounds per bundle. 

Trees cut down by contractors will not be collected and must be removed by the contractor.  The City encourages residents to compost or mulch leaves and grass clippings at you home for healthier landscape.

MAY I CONTINUE TO USE MY OLD GARBAGE CAN?   

You may use your old can as a yard waste can.  Do not use your old can for household garbage because the mechanical gripper and vehicle lifting arm of the automated collection truck will very likely damage the can.  The contractor is not responsible for such damage.  Place you household garbage only in the wheeled cart because it is manufactured to be used with the automated collection truck.

HOW DO I DISPOSE OF MY OLD GARBAGE CAN(S)? 

 

Thirty (30) days after the automated collection service begins, the contractor will be ready to collect old, empty garbage cans that are no longer in use.  The old cans may be placed at the curb for disposal on Bulky Items collection day (Wednesday).  Mark the can clearly for disposal with a large “X”, which may be painted or taped onto the can.

HOW DO I DISPOSE OF MY HOUSEHOLD RECYABLES? 

 

Residents are to use the City delivered green recycling bins with the city logo for collection of recyclables.  Recyclables are items such as paper, newspapers, magazines, aluminum, tin cans, glass, and plastics #1 - #7. FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF ACCEPTABLE ITEMS, PLEASE REFER TO YOUR USERS GUIDE OR THE CITY WEBSITE AT wwwcityofoviedo.net.  Recyclables must be separated in two or more bins, containers separated from paper materials.  Call Republic Services at (407) 293-8000 if you need a recycling bin issued and it may be scheduled for delivery.

 

The green recycling bins are the property of the City of Oviedo and are marked with the City logo. The recycling bins are to remain at your residence if you move.

HOW DO I DISPOSE OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE SUCH AS PAINT AND MOTOR OIL?

Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is free of charge for the residential households of Seminole County for many common substances found in the home. HHW items are not picked up at curbside and require special handling and disposal.

HHW is accepted FREE OF CHARGE at all times during regular business hours at the Central Transfer Station. The Central Transfer Station is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 am - 5:30pm.  Seminole County web site is: http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/envsrvs/solidwaste/ctransfer.aspx   Residents with large quantities of HHW - Please contact Seminole County in advance of delivering your materials to our collection center.

WHAT DOES THE CITY LOGO STAMPED ON THE CART MEAN?

 

The cart assigned to you address belongs to the city.  The City logo identifies the cart as belonging to the city.  The city logo also helps to identify city carts that get moved outside the city limits.

WHAT DOES THE SERIALS NUMBER STAMPED ON THE CART MEAN? 

Each address has a cart “assigned” by the serial number stamped on it.  This helps residents keep up with their cart and helps the city locate lost carts and return them to their proper address.

WHAT DO THE ARROWS STAMPED ON THE CART MEAN? 

The arrows on the wheeled cart show the proper orientation of the cart towards the street for placement at the curb for automated collection.  The proper orientation of the cart is essential for automated collection and minimizing blowing garbage that falls outside the hopper. THE ARROWS SHOULD POINT TOWARD THE STREET.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY FAMILY MOVES? 

 

Remember, each household garbage wheeled cart is registered by its serial number to a specific address.  If you move, the cart will remain at your old address and you can make arrangements to receive a cart at your new address.  Your garbage account is automatically cancelled at the same time you cancel your water account.

WHAT IF THE CART IS STOLEN, DAMAGED OR DESTROYED? 

 

The household garbage wheeled cart is the property of the City of Oviedo and must not be painted, abused, mutilated, altered, modified, or moved from its assigned address.  If the damage was your responsibility, you will need to pay for its replacement.  For example, any cart that is destroyed or damaged by hot ashes or coals shall be the responsibility of the customer and replaced at the customer’s expense.  If the collection contractor damages your cart, it will be replaced at the expense of the contractor.  Stolen carts must be reported to the Oviedo Police Department at (407) 971-5700.  Call the Public works Department at (407) 971-5644 for further information on cart replacement.

WHAT SIZE CARTS ARE AVAILABLE? 

 

Each household will receive one (1) 95-gallon wheeled cart.  This size cart should provide adequate capacity for the average household.  Should you need more capacity, you may call (407) 293-8000 to request an additional wheeled cart for only $7.00 more per month.

HOW DOES A BUSINESS OR CONTRACTOR AT SIZE ARRANGE FOR DUMPSTER OR ROLL-OFF SERVICES FOR RECYCLING, SOLID WASTE OR CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION?

Business and contractors needing solid waste collection container services can use any one of the City of Oviedo franchised haulers.   Businesses and contractors shall contract directly with the franchise haulers for these services.  The City’s current franchise haulers are:          

Republic Services - 407-293-8000         
Waste Service – 407-831-1539         
Waste Management - 407-843-7370

HOW DO I REPORT A MISSED PICKUP/COLLECTION?

To report a missed garbage pickup or to express a concern, please call the Republic Services at 407-293-8000.  Republic maintains a database of resident concerns and responds to all customer issues within 24 hrs (Monday through Friday).   Alternative, residents can call the City of Oviedo Public Works Department at 407-971-5644. When reporting a missed pickup or concern, please be sure to state your name, address, daytime phone number, and a brief description. You may also email your complaint or concern to akortus@cityofoviedo.net .

Where Can I Store my garbage cart during the week?  

 

 

The 95 gallon cart typically fits where the resident historically placed their home garbage can during the week.  The cart’s unique design (tall and square), is no more then 5% wider then the typical garbage can and holds about 3.5 cans worth of garbage.  Cart should only be placed at curb for collection and then removed after, per City Ordinance.

 

The cart comes with a tight fitting lid suitable for garage or outside home storage. The lid is designed to minimize odor & vermin and will be maintained by the contactor.   The cart also comes with large wheels to easily move on concrete or grass.  If a resident chooses to store a cart outside, they may be required to screen it per their Home Owner Association (HOA) requirements.   In many cases, existing HOA required hedge and fence screens such as, those used for pool pumps and air-conditions can be utilized with little or no modification for carts.  Homeowners should check with their HOA for their specific neighborhood guidelines.