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Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Pay For These Services?
Field Service
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Program Contacts

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What should I do if I have items that are unacceptable for curbside collection?"
Many of the items that are unacceptable for curbside collection are acceptable at our Trash Transfer Stations and Household Hazardous Waste facilities. For items that are not accepted at these facilities, there are alternate disposal sites available. Remember, the alternate disposal sites are not free.

"Why was I given a swale violation for waste I didn't put on my swale?"
The property owner is responsible for maintaining their swale, including clearing and removing any illegally dumped waste. Unfortunately, this may not seem fair to the property owner, but unless the illegal dumping is witnessed and reported, there is no way to determine who would be responsible, so the burden falls on the property owner.

"Why are the Trash Transfer Stations only open on Saturdays?"
Due to budget on restraints, we are only able to operate the stations one day per week. As most residents don't work on weekends, it was decided that Saturday would benefit the most residents.

"Who picks up waste that is dumped in your yard?"
The property owner is responsible for clearing and removing any illegally dumped waste on their property.

"What happens and who do we contact when our garbage or bulky waste does not get picked up?"
If you put out acceptable materials on your scheduled garbage, bulky waste or recycling collection days and the materials are not collected, you can report it online or call our Customer Service Line at 954-765-4222. We will have a field supervisor investigate the situation and work with the service provider to resolve the problem promptly.

"I have a landscape company maintain my yard. Do they have to follow the collection guidelines?"
If the landscape company uses your curbside solid waste collection services for the disposal of yard waste from your yard, then the answer is yes. Be sure they are clearly instructed as to what the collection guidelines are because it will be your responsibility to properly prepare any items they place curbside that don't comply with the collection guidelines.

HOW DO I PAY FOR THESE SERVICES?

Ever wonder how your solid waste and recycling collection services are paid for? In unincorporated Broward County, a non-ad valorem special assessment is added to the annual tax bill for single family homes and multifamily properties with less than 10 units. This assessment covers the cost of your solid waste and recycling collection services, Trash Transfer Stations and Community Cleanup and Adopt-A-Street Programs. For the 2008 service year, the special assessment is $270 per unit.

If you live in a newly constructed home, the billing process is a little different. Since your new home is not yet on the tax roll for the solid waste and recycling special assessment, Broward County authorizes your hauler to bill you directly for collection services. For the first year, the hauler will bill you a pro-rated amount from the date the Certificate of Occupany was issued for your home to December 31. Quite often, Broward County will authorize your hauler to direct bill you the following year from January 1 to December 31. This is because it often takes more than a year for the assessment to be added to your tax bill. Once the assessment is added to your tax bill, you will no longer be billed by your hauler. Please note, the assessment is paid in advance of services. Because of this, it may appear you are paying for your solid waste and recycling services twice, however you are not. If you have questions please call 954-765-4222 or e-mail us at recycle&recover@broward.org.

FIELD SERVICE

Ever wonder what happens when you call our Customer Service Line to report a service issue? Well, our full time Customer Service Associate gathers all necessary information and forwards it to one of our field supervisors. A field supervisor will investigate the service issue and determine if the resident complied with the collection guidelines. If they did, the field supervisor will then work with the hauler to resolve it. If the resident did not comply with the established collection guidelines, the field supervisor will begin the Swale Violation Enforcement process.

Some of the other responsibilities of a field supervisor include:

• Delivering recycling bins.
• Monitoring garbage, bulky waste and recycling collection services.
• Providing program information to residents.
• Investigating property damage issues.
• Mediating disputes between residents and haulers.

NEIGHBORHOOD RECYCLING AIDES

In January 1996, a program was started to provide direct one-on-one contact and assistance to residents of unincorporated Broward County on the proper procedures for recycling, garbage and bulky waste collection. The program uses neighborhood recycling aides (NRAs) to provide this direct contact. NRAs are assigned to work in one or more of our 5 service areas. Dealing primarily with single family residents, the NRAs work during evening hours and on weekends when residents are most likely to be home. This provides the opportunity to meet personally with the residents, talk with them about their concerns and answer questions. The goal of this program is to provide a "personal touch" to educating residents and to alleviate problems with the improper preparation of recyclables, garbage or bulky waste that are set out for collection.

NRAs conduct a wide variety of "people-oriented" actions, including:

	door-to-door contact with residents
	presentations at civic association meetings
	route surveys
	participation in special events and community cleanups

Sounds like a great job?! Well, we're always looking for someone new to join our team! If you want:

	a fun part-time job working evenings and weekends
	to help educate people about recycling and solid waste programs
	to earn some extra money (pays $9.91/hour)

then this may be the job for you!

Call us at 954-765-4222 for more info.

PROGRAM CONTACTS

Residential Solid Waste & Recycling Collection Programs
Swale Violation Program
Multifamily Recycling Program
Outreach/Educational Services Program
954-765-4222

Community Cleanup Programs
954-765-4222

Adopt-A-Street
954-474-1860