Sanibel property owners are reminded that the final pass for storm debris pickup will begin soon, and all storm-related debris must be placed in the public right-of-way by Sunday, December 8th. This is a crucial step in the recovery process, and failure to comply with the deadline will result in property owners being responsible for the proper removal of any remaining debris.
Deadline for Debris Placement
The City of Sanibel has secured FEMA reimbursement for debris removal costs related to commercial properties, including condominiums. These property owners are now also able to place their storm-generated debris on the public right-of-way by December 8th.
The public right-of-way refers to the area of property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole, or easement. Property owners are asked to place only loose debris in this area to ensure proper collection. Bagged debris will not be accepted for pickup, as this is a FEMA requirement for reimbursement eligibility.
What You Need to Know About Debris Separation
To streamline the debris collection process and help ensure your debris is picked up efficiently, please separate the debris into the following categories:
- Vegetative Debris: Whole trees, tree stumps, branches, trunks, and other leafy material.
- Building Demolition Debris: Damaged components of buildings and structures, such as wood, drywall, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings, and fixtures.
- Appliances (White Goods): Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers, and water heaters.
- Electronic Waste: Computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.
- Household Hazardous Waste: Materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic, or corrosive, such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.
By placing debris in the correct categories, residents and property owners help ensure that the debris removal process runs smoothly and efficiently.
Key Considerations for Debris Placement
Please follow these important guidelines to ensure the debris is collected properly:
- Avoid placing debris under low-hanging power lines or utility lines.
- Do not place debris within four feet of:
- Mailboxes
- Water meters
- Fire hydrants
- Any other above-ground utilities
- As debris is cleared, small items like nails, screws, and pieces of material may fall into the roadway. To help prevent flat tires, residents are encouraged to collect and dispose of these small items from in front of their properties.
Final Pass of Debris Pickup
Once the debris trucks make their final pass starting on December 8th, they will not return. After this date, it will be the responsibility of the property owner to remove any remaining debris.
It is important to act quickly to ensure your debris is collected before the deadline.
Contact Information
For any questions or additional information, please contact Public Works at (239) 472-6397.
This final storm debris pickup marks a significant step forward in the recovery efforts for Sanibel, and timely cooperation from residents will help ensure the community can continue to rebuild efficiently and safely.
