PALM BAY — A delay in delivery of recycling carts means Palm Bay's new garbage and recycling program won't roll out Oct. 1.
Because of the setback, city residents will continue to receive twice-a-week service through Nov. 13, and should continue to use their old garbage cans until then.
Beginning Nov. 15, garbage and recyclable materials will be collected once a week, when the new carts should be used.
The once-a-week collection dates for service after Nov. 15 are marked on stickers affixed to the new carts, and each resident receives a brochure with details on the program.
Each resident's trash, recycling and yard waste will all be picked up on the same day of the week.
Although the new, 64-gallon garbage carts have been going out to residents as planned through the city's partner, Waste Management, the cart manufacturer is behind on delivery of the 64-gallon recycling receptacles, said Lori Parker, right of way services division manager. About 36,000 of each type of cart will be delivered, Parker said.
The city will handle bills for the new service, instead of Waste Management Inc., with charges included on residents' water bills. The first bills, at a lower rate of $10.81 per month, will go out Oct. 1.
A letter from Mayor John Mazziotti, explaining the delay in the program's start, has been sent to Palm Bay residents.
