New plan eliminates designated pickup day zones for large items
If you live in Saint Cloud, the Public Works department is about to make getting that old couch or broken appliance hauled away much easier.
The city has announced that in two weeks, effective May 1, residents will be able to schedule their own collection day for bulk items — usually within two business days. Through an online form, residents can describe what needs to be picked up and even upload photos.
City officials say that added detail will help crews plan more efficiently, send the right equipment, and handle larger loads earlier in the day before trucks fill up. It should also eliminate trucks spending extra time driving through neighborhoods searching for piles, which can lead to wasted fuel, missed stops, or even picking up items that weren’t meant to be collected.
“This allows us to be more efficient and lets residents get rid of bulk items more quickly,” said Deputy Public Works Director Jaime Morales. “For example, if someone cleans out their garage on the weekend, their current pickup day might not be until Thursday, meaning the items would sit by the road for almost a week. With the new system, they can go online and schedule a pickup earlier in the week.”
Right now, the city is divided into zones, each with its own designated day for picking up bulky items like furniture and appliances that don’t fit in regular collection bins. Residents can request a special pickup, but it still happens on their assigned zone day.
The special pickup request form will be available at www.stcloudfl.gov/specialpickup starting April 27
The cost for bulk pickup isn’t changing. Residents will still pay $24 for up to two cubic yards — about the size of a 3-foot by 3-foot by 6-foot pile — and $12 for each additional cubic yard.
Residents with further questions can call 407-957-7289.
