The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners held a meeting on May 6, 2025, to discuss significant upcoming changes to the Solid Waste and Recycling program, set to begin on October 1, 2025. The meeting featured a presentation by Amantio Shimatha, the managing director for the Solid Waste Disposal District, who outlined the new universal collection service for trash, recycling, and yard waste.

Starting in October, all residents in unincorporated Indian River County will receive new carts for waste collection. The program will introduce a 95-gallon gray cart for trash, a 65-gallon cart for recycling, and a 95-gallon yard waste cart. Residents will begin receiving these carts in June and July, with yard waste carts delivered in August. However, residents are advised not to use the new carts until the official start date in October.

The new program aims to streamline waste collection, with all services scheduled for the same day each week. This includes weekly pickups for trash, recycling, and yard waste, as well as bulk trash collection for up to four items. The annual fee for these services will be approximately $182, which will be included in residents' tax bills starting in November.

To ensure residents are informed, postcards will be mailed out with details about the new program, and a radio advertisement will also be aired. Additionally, the county plans to engage with homeowners' associations to further disseminate information.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep the community updated as the implementation date approaches, highlighting the county's efforts to enhance waste management services for residents.