St. Johns County Commissioner Christian Whitehurst raised concerns about a hike in resident complaints over delayed yard waste collection.
Whitehurst said his office has received emails, calls and text messages from residents questioning missed or delayed pickups along corridors including Longleaf Pine Parkway and State Road 210.
He invited Greg Caldwell, the county’s public works director, to explain the seasonal challenges behind the issue.
Caldwell told commissioners that March and April represent the most demanding period of the year for yard waste collection, with volumes typically doubling.
He attributed the spike in part to seasonal yard maintenance and recent cold snaps that accelerated leaf and debris accumulation.
To manage the increase, the county’s contracted waste hauler, FCC Environmental Services, has added trucks, and personnel, he said.
Despite those measures, Caldwell said crews are struggling to keep pace while maintaining safety standards and complying with federal work-hour limits for drivers.
Large piles placed along entire property curbs can slow collection, sometimes requiring specialized equipment and extra trips.
Whitehurst noted that frustration among residents has led some to question whether the issue is tied to the county’s current waste contractor.
The county switched to its current waste hauler in 2024, a transition that included a rocky rollout before pickup services stabilized.
Caldwell said the seasonal backlog is not unique to the current provider and has occurred consistently over the years, regardless of which company handled collection.
Both officials said the county prepares annually for the surge by allocating extra resources but acknowledged that high volumes continue to strain the system.
