Indian River County amends Waste Management rollout to let HOAs opt out of yard‑waste carts, accelerates recycling swaps

Indian River County commissioners voted unanimously June 17 to approve staff-led changes to the county's new universal collection rollout with Waste Management, allowing homeowners associations (HOAs) and condominium associations (COAs) to decline delivery of yard‑waste carts and moving up the schedule for residents to request smaller recycling carts.

The changes respond to dozens of public comments at the meeting from residents and HOA representatives who said the new 65‑ and 95‑gallon carts already delivered to neighborhoods do not fit in small garages, create storage and storm‑season concerns, and were sometimes left curbside when homeowners were absent.

Why it matters: The county is replacing its entire cart fleet under a new 10‑year franchise with Waste Management that begins Oct. 1. The rollout involves roughly 200,000 carts and prompted a wave of calls and in‑person complaints after early deliveries. Commissioners and staff said the amendments aim to reduce disruption while preserving the county’s plan for universal collection.

What the amendments do - HOA/COA opt‑out for yard‑waste carts: If an HOA or COA provides a single, signed notice to the Solid Waste Disposal…