Garbage Collection Changes Extended Due To Driver Shortage

BRADENTON, FL — In response to a CDL driver shortage across the solid waste industry, the city of Bradenton adopted a temporary solid waste schedule at the end of July.

Now, the city has extended this temporary schedule as the driver shortage continues, according to a news release.

Since July, the city’s regular garbage collection has operated on its normal weekly schedule, but the g shortage of drivers has made it difficult to collect both yard waste and recycling every week.

The city’s temporary solution has been to switch every other week between the two. Yard waste will be collected one week, while recycling is picked up the next.

Bradenton recently announced an extension of this temporary schedule through September. Officials hope these necessary changes will be temporary, according to the news release.

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The Bradenton City Council recently approved an incentive program for city garbage truck drivers in hopes of hiring more staff amidst a local and national driver shortage.

Recycling will be picked up during the weeks Aug. 23-27 and Sept. 6-10 and 20-24. Meanwhile, yard waste will be collected the weeks of Aug. 30-Sept. 3 and Sept. 13-17.

Pick-up will take place during these weeks on residents' normal collection day.

This change allows Bradenton's Solid Waste Division to consolidate its recycle and yard waste drivers into a single collection unit, minimizing the impact of the current driver shortage, the city said.