Garbage dropoff facility proposed for east Tampa

By JANET ZINK
Published June 10, 2005

TAMPA - City solid waste workers regularly pick up illegally dumped trash on vacant lots.

Days later, they return and find the sites once again filled with trash.

City officials hope to solve that problem by creating a garbage dropoff site in east Tampa, where most illegal dumping occurs.

"One of the most important things we have to bring to our customers is options," David McCary, director of Tampa's solid waste department told City Council members Thursday.

His department is looking for two to three acres in east Tampa where people can dump the couches, old appliances, tires and yard waste that often end up on vacant lots. Forty-six of the city's 47 most problematic illegal dump sites are in east Tampa, he said. About 13,000 cubic yards of trash are dumped illegally each year, costing the city about $120,000.

Right now, the only garbage dropoff site is in Palmetto Beach, south of downtown.

If people have to drive across town to discard large unwanted items, they're going to leave them in the nearest lot, ditch or alley, McCary said.

"You will still have those that will illegally dump no matter what we do," McCary said.

But a convenient dropoff spot should alleviate the problem.

He hopes to find the land in six months and complete the $275,000 construction project within a year. The site would be open seven days a week and equipped with large Dumpsters backed up to a platform people could drive up to. The facility would require no new personnel, McCary said.

"This is an excellent option," said Council member Linda Saul-Sena.

Council member Rose Ferlita lauded McCary's idea, but said she hopes there will be money in the city budget next year for an environmental crime unit - either in the police, solid waste or code enforcement department - that can monitor illegal dump sites and arrest violators.

--Janet Zink can be reached at 813 226-3401 or jzink@sptimes.com

[Last modified June 10, 2005, 01:10:11]