Misinformation Alert
We’ve seen information circulating from a local publication regarding changes to Manatee County’s Big Bin, and we want to clear up any confusion.
There are no plans to replace existing Big Bins with smaller ones. The Big Bin remains in place, and residents should continue using them as normal.
We also want to clarify that any mention of a rate increase tied to this article is not accurate.
While the article appears to have been intended as humor, it was published without clear context and ahead of April Fools’ Day. We’ve also been made aware it may be shared again on April 1. Unfortunately, not everyone encounters it with that understanding, and it has led to an increase in calls from residents trying to verify what’s accurate.
We’re always happy to answer questions, but we also want to ensure our community has clear and reliable information. When in doubt, please visit mymanatee.org/bigbin for the most up-to-date details.
We appreciate everyone who reached out and will continue working to keep you informed. A good joke makes you laugh…this one mostly turned into a taxpayer-funded fact check.
Report a Missed Garbage Pickup
Report missed service by completing the service request on your Customer Self-Service Portal.
CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Missed Pickups and Complaints
If we have room depending on how it's formatted, we can keep the same info as there is now, just directing people to the CSS portal instead of reporting on that page.
Please ensure the following before reporting a missed pick up:
- All items must be out within 3 feet of the roadway by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled service day and must follow proper procedure for each type of waste. Haulers have from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Yard waste must be bagged in compostable paper bags, canned, or bundled (no longer than 4 feet in length) using rope, string, twine, or tape. No plastic bags for yard waste are accepted.
- Each bag or container must weigh no more than 40lbs.
- Missed pickups MUST be reported within the next business day.
- Ensure items are out to the curb until the haulers can recover your items that were missed.
Important notice: As of October 1st, yard waste MUST be placed in cans, bundles, or lawn-and-leaf compostable paper bags (found online or at home/hardware stores). Plastic yard waste bags will no longer be accepted
Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions
Report missed service by completing the service request on your Customer Self-Service Portal.
CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Missed Pickups and Complaints
If your bin is damaged, you can get it repaired or replaced by submitting a service request on your Customer Self Service portal.
CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Maintenance Request for County Provided Garbage Bin
CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Residential Request for Additional Bin
Weekly garbage pickup is limited to the contents of your bin, with the lid closed. If you have extra items that won’t fit, you can schedule a special pickup in advance for a fee by creating a Service Request on your Customer Self Service Portal.
CSS Portal > Request > Solid Waste > Bulk or Improperly Prepared
You may also take the excess waste directly to the landfill for a fee; cars and SUVs are $5, and all other vehicles are $23 up to 1,000 lbs. View current rates by visiting Rates for Solid Waste and Recycling Services.
Having trouble finding your new pick-up day? This video walks you step-by-step through the process:
Deputy Director of Utilities, Chris Collins, sat down with Summer Smith at ABC7 to discuss the roll out of the Big Bin Advantage and give valuable insight to frequently asked questions. View the video below:
General Schedule & Service Updates
Weekly garbage pickup is limited to the contents of your bin, with the lid closed. If you have extra items that won’t fit, you can schedule a special pickup in advance for a fee by creating a Service Request on your Customer Self Service Portal.
CSS Portal > Request > Solid Waste > Bulk or Improperly Prepared
You may also take the excess waste directly to the landfill for a fee; cars and SUVs are $5, and all other vehicles are $23 up to 1,000 lbs. View current rates by visiting Rates for Solid Waste and Recycling Services.
Garbage & Recycling Cart Use
Please do not lean garbage bags or any other items against or place them on top of the bin. All waste must be inside the bin with the lid fully closed.
Bins that are overfilled or obstructed will not be collected.
No, your blue 64-gallon Manatee County recycling bin is only for recyclables. You may use your old garbage can (not the new 96-gallon Big Bin) for yard waste, however! For more information about recycling, please click here.
They are 25 x 34 x 46
The big bins are 4 inches taller and 1 inch wider than our current bins and weigh 33 pounds.
.png?sfvrsn=3a734d5d_1 "Garbage Can Sizes (96 and 64)")
Arrange materials loosely in the recycling cart. Materials packed too tightly may remain in the recycling cart after it is dumped.
Make sure that all your bins are at least 3 feet apart so the automated truck can properly pick them up!
Services
Big Bin Advantage - HOA & Resident Toolkit
Download, share, and print resources for your community available online and PDF format.
Contact & Assistance
Report missed service by completing the service request on your Customer Self-Service Portal.
CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Missed Pickups and Complaints
If your bin is damaged, you can get it repaired or replaced by submitting a service request on your Customer Self Service portal.
CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Maintenance Request for County Provided Garbage Bin
If you are unable to move your garbage and recycling bins to the curb due to a medical condition, you may qualify for Rear Door Assistance. To apply, you must complete the form and submit it along with a note from your doctor. Once your information has been received, a team member will reach out to you to help set up the service. For more details, or to submit your form online, or download the PDF form about this program, please visit: Manatee County’s Medical Waiver (Rear Door Assistance) Program: Making Waste Disposal Accessible for All.
Each Big Bin is electronically chipped and assigned to your address. If your bin goes missing, we can track and confirm whether it’s at the wrong property. In most cases, bins are simply found nearby and returned.
To help prevent theft or mix-ups:
- Mark your bin with your house number (without covering the county-issued number on the front).
- Bring it back from the curb promptly after collection.
- Keep an eye out for your neighbors, especially those who may need extra help.
If you suspect your bin is missing, call 311. Our team will investigate and make sure you’re not left without service.
Important: Removing or keeping a bin that does not belong to you is considered theft under Florida law.
- According to Florida Statute § 812.014, theft of property valued at $100 or more is classified as petit theft of the first degree, a first-degree misdemeanor, and is an arrestable offense.
- Repeat offenses may be charged as a felony.
Simply put: taking a bin that isn’t yours can lead to arrest and prosecution.
Bins, Extras & Bulk Items
You may request a 64-gallon garbage bin by submitting a Service Request on your Customer Self-Service Portal.
CSS Portal > Request > Solid Waste > Residential Request to Swap Bin Sizes
*Please note: Compostable plastic bags are NOT able to be accepted - only compostable paper bags specifically for lawn-and-leaf collection can be collected.
CSS Portal ➝ Request ➝ Solid Waste ➝ Residential Request for Additional Bin
You may keep your old bin for yard waste or other uses. If you’d prefer it be taken away, you can request a bulk pickup for a fee by creating a Service Request on your Customer Self-Service Portal.
CSS Portal > Request > Solid Waste > Bulk Pickup Request
If you do not wish to pay the fee for the pickup you can drop it off at the Lena Rd. Landfill for a fee of $5 for an SUV or sedan, or $23.00 in a pickup truck (under 1,000 lbs.)
While we cannot provide a specific timeframe for delivery of the additional requested bins, the franchised haulers are working diligently to get them to your address as quickly as possible.