Progress continues for the free collection of hurricane debris in unincorporated Monroe County and in the municipalities of Layton and Key Colony Beach, which contracted with the County to provide its hurricane debris removal.

As of Friday, Oct. 6, more than 160,000 combined cubic yards of hurricane debris, including vegetative and construction, have been collected in neighborhoods and along U.S. 1.

Monroe County’s debris contractor AshBritt Environmental has been handling Key Largo to Tavernier and Mile Marker 15 to Stock Island. AshBritt-contracted crews have removed more than 115,000 cubic yards of debris and 2,000 white goods (appliances).

The company is approximately 75 percent complete with first pass of collection in the Upper Keys. First pass operations continue in this area, with second passes to follow.

In Key Colony Beach, two passes have been made throughout the municipality and work will continue next week as needed.

In the Lower Keys, from MM 15 to Stock Island, crews have been working the area with 2 double self-loaders, 1 roll-off truck, 1 single self-loader, 6 30-cubic yard dump trailers, 8 small dump trailers and associated loading equipment. The first pass is expected to be completed in the Lower Keys in the next two weeks.

Monroe County also has received assistance from the Florida Department of Transportation, which is handling hurricane debris removal from MM 16 to MM 40 in the Lower Keys and in Layton and Duck Key in the Middle Keys.

So far, DOT contractors have hauled about 31,000 cubic yards from the Lower Keys and another 2,700 cubic yards from Layton and Duck Key.

Monroe County is making special arrangements to collect debris that is located on private roads or non-County maintained roads, which are not typically eligible for FEMA-reimbursed debris collection.

The contractors get paid by the amount of debris collected and not by the hour, so it is in their best interest to do the job as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Hurricane debris removal could not begin until most of the utility companies had completed their efforts to restore water and power and temporary collection sites were secured in the County. Now, contractors are in place throughout unincorporated Monroe County and are in position to haul away debris at a strong pace.

Residents can help facilitate the debris removal process by following these requirements:

• Stack hurricane related debris on the county right of way (road shoulder) in front of homes. It must not block the road or driveways.
• Do not put debris on vacant lots of other property. It will not be picked up.
• Separate into five groups: vegetative debris, seaweed, household appliances, non-vegetative debris and household hazardous waste, which includes paints, cleaners, etc. (It is recommended you bring your household hazardous waste to one of the County’s three transfer stations).
• Hurricane debris needs to be separate from regular household trash. Contents of refrigerators should be thrown out in regular trash. This gets picked up by regular garbage collection.
• In the areas that have vacuum sewers in Key Largo and Tavernier, make sure not to stack debris near sewer system breathers, which are not in the right of way. In the Upper Keys they look like small concrete pillars.
• In the areas that have vacuum sewers in Key Largo and Tavernier, make sure not to stack debris near sewer system breathers, which are not in the right of way. In the Upper Keys they look like small concrete pillars.
• Debris also should be kept away from fire hydrants and utility poles.

Things that are not eligible for free pick up by hurricane debris contractor include: cars, trucks, motor homes, motor cycles, trailers, boats or other watercraft and car parts like tires.