CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – In Clay County, trash provider FCC Environmental Services is officially the new garbage service.
The company made its first trash pickups on Tuesday.
This comes after St. Johns County abruptly ended its contract with the company over the summer after thousands of complaints in a matter of weeks.
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The bags in Lee Fuller’s driveway represent just how big his family is.
“Seven to eight people here. We have a big family, we got to eat, and there’s kids and diapers and everything. It is just a lot. Some of that is my fault, but I mean you cannot expect me to go from that to one can,” he said.
Speaking of cans, another trash can is going to cost him and anyone else in the county who needs more space.
On the county website, it says you can lease a 95-gallon can for $66 or a 65-gallon can for $61.
That is on top of the extra $34 a year Fuller is paying FCC Environmental Services for trash pick-up.
The same company was fired in St. Johns County where vultures were picking at trash left on the curb for days.
Before letting the company go, St. Johns County Commission Chair Sarah Arnold addressed the community on Facebook.
“We have lost trust in FCC’s ability to provide accurate data and deliver services in good faith,” she said.
After that, an FCC representative spoke at a Clay County Commission meeting addressing what happened.
“Our technology failed and why did it fail? We are researching that now,” Vice President of Business Development Charles Merkley said.
The I-TEAM reached out to Clay County commissioners about their decision to move forward with FCC.
They sent us this statement backing their support saying:
“The County has worked closely with FCC Environmental Services for months to ensure the transition to the new garbage and yard waste service is done to the level we all expect. We encourage our residents to go to our website, claycountygov.com, for any questions they might have regarding the new service. There is a banner at the top of the page with a direct link to frequently asked questions.
There are twenty-seven counties in Florida with a population of 200K or greater (Clay is listed at 232,439). Of those 27 counties, 23 use ASL (85%) and 4 use manual trucks (15%).
Currently, the Solid Waste Assessments total $324/year. Starting October 1, 2024, the rate will be $358/year. This is increase of $34/year. This is billed annually as a non-ad valorem assessment on the county tax bill.
Residents who haven’t received a new can can still put out their trash on their new pickup day in their old containers or bags, and FCC will pick it up until their new can is delivered.”
For perspective, the I-TEAM requested records from other counties that use FCC.
Records in Orange County showed that in the last eight and a half years, FCC has made more than 162,302,400 pickups with 43,435 complaints which represents just over .02% complaint per collection.
In Hillsborough County, where FCC services 123,285 residential units, there have been 2,200 complaints between May and June this year.
Former Clay County Commissioner Ronnie Robinson said he would have stayed away from the company.
“I think the people are very unhappy because they feel like they’re paying more money and getting less service,” he said.
FCC will pick up trash and yard waste. Curbside recycling will no longer be available under the new agreement due to “unprecedented cost increases” to residents.
Fuller, is hoping what happened in St. Johns County, is not repeated in his neighborhood.
“I don’t like that they switched up like this, just expecting people with big families, where are they supposed to do?” he said.
News4JAX requested an interview with FCC Environmental Services about the transition to Clay County but did not hear back.