OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County residents will receive new garbage carts from Waste Management in April. The company is switching to a system which allows drivers to pickup the waste without leaving the vehicle.

At the March 14 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission, County Administrator Deborah Manzo said each home will be provided with a green cart for household trash and a gray cart for yard debris like leaves. Residents who need a second cart for household garbage may purchase one for $85. Manzo said the pick up fee would not change for those with an extra cart. The cost for the second household waste cart is a one-time expense.

In addition, the county’s contract calls for bulk pickups of up to 4 cubic yards per week for piles of yard debris.

Manzo said if customers want more than 4 cubic yards picked up, they can call WM and pay an additional $15 per cubic yard. If a pile is larger than the 4 cubic yard limit and no prior arrangements have been made, WM will leave a tag on it explaining the options, she said.

If it’s larger than four cubic yards, they will leave a tag explaining the options to the customer, said Manzo.

“Our contract is that they will pick up four yards,” said Commission Chair Hazellief. “If there’s 20 yards there, they pick up four.”

“We have to hold them accountable,” he said.

“I hope we’re not encouraging people, with hurricane season coming, a large pile of yard debris out there,” said Kelly Owens.

Manzo said Waste Management customers will receive fliers explaining the new procedures before they go into effect.