Trash Twice a Week: Why Once Isn't Enough in Florida Heat 🗑️

Let me paint you a picture. It's July in Port St. Lucie. The temperature hit 94 degrees today, and the humidity is so thick you could swim through it. You took the trash out yesterday morning, and now—24 hours later—your garage smells like something died in there. The flies are having a family reunion around your garbage can. And you've got four more days until pickup. 🌡️

Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.

Here's the thing nobody at City Hall wants to talk about: once-a-week trash collection in Florida is a bad idea. It was a cost-cutting measure that saved some money upfront, but it's costing us in ways that don't show up on a budget spreadsheet—quality of life, public health, and yeah, even our property values.

I'm Steven Giordano, and I'm running for Mayor because I believe basic city services should actually work for the people paying for them. Crazy concept, right? Let's talk about why twice-weekly trash collection isn't a luxury—it's common sense. 💪

The Current Situation: How We Got Here 📊

Port St. Lucie currently contracts with FCC Environmental Services for once-weekly garbage collection. The city pays approximately $467 per household annually for this service, and honestly, that's not a bad price—if the service actually met our needs.

But here's what happened: A few years back, the city switched from twice-weekly to once-weekly pickup to save money. On paper, it looked good. In reality? Not so much.

Now, I'm all for fiscal responsibility. You know that—it's literally my number one priority. But there's a difference between being smart with money and being penny-wise and pound-foolish. Once-weekly trash service in a subtropical climate? That's the second one.

Why Once a Week Doesn't Work in Florida 🌴

Let me break down the problems with once-weekly pickup, because this isn't just about convenience—though that's part of it. This is about real issues affecting real families every single day.

The Smell Problem 🤢

Florida heat is no joke. When garbage sits in 90-degree weather with 80% humidity for a week, it doesn't just get ripe—it becomes a science experiment. Food waste decomposes fast in these conditions, and that smell doesn't stay contained to your garage. It wafts. Your neighbors smell it. The whole street smells it.

I've talked to seniors who are embarrassed to have company over because of the garbage smell. I've talked to families with kids who can't play in their own driveways because of the flies. This isn't how people should have to live.

The Pest Problem 🦟

Here's something the health department knows but doesn't advertise: garbage sitting for a week is a magnet for pests. We're talking:

• Flies—breeding by the hundreds in decomposing organic waste
• Rodents—rats and mice love a steady food source
• Raccoons—they'll tear through anything to get to that week-old buffet
• Cockroaches—because Florida doesn't have enough of these already

Once these pests establish themselves in a neighborhood, they don't just go away when the trash gets picked up. They stick around. They get into houses. They become a persistent problem that costs homeowners money in pest control.

The Overflow Problem 🗑️

Let's talk about family size for a second. The standard garbage cart is 96 gallons. For a single person or a couple, that's probably fine. But for a family of four? Five? Six? That cart fills up fast.

I've heard from parents who have to strategically plan their garbage disposal—"We can't throw that away until Tuesday because pickup isn't until Friday." That's not a way to live. People end up with bags of garbage piling up in their garage, or worse, they illegally dump it because they have no other option.

The Bulk Waste Problem 🛋️

Here's another headache: bulk waste pickup is currently limited to once a month. Got an old couch? A broken appliance? Yard debris from a weekend project? You're waiting weeks to get rid of it—or you're hauling it yourself to the Public Works Complex.

For working families, that weekend trip to the dump is time they don't have. For seniors or people without trucks, it's not even an option. So what happens? That old furniture sits on the curb or in the garage for weeks. It makes neighborhoods look run-down. It attracts more pests. It's a quality-of-life issue that affects everyone.

Why This Actually Matters (Beyond the Obvious) 💡

I know some people are thinking, "It's just trash. Is this really a priority?" Fair question. Let me tell you why it absolutely is.

Public Health 🏥

Decomposing waste isn't just smelly—it's a health hazard. Bacteria multiply rapidly in hot, humid conditions. Flies that breed in garbage can carry disease. Standing water in discarded containers becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which in Florida means West Nile and Zika concerns.

The CDC and EPA both recommend frequent waste removal as a basic public health measure, especially in warm climates. We're not meeting that standard right now.

Property Values 🏠

Here's something that might surprise you: trash service affects your home's value. When neighborhoods smell bad, when bulk waste piles up on curbs, when pests are visible—buyers notice. Appraisers notice. It drags down property values for everyone.

A study by the National Association of Realtors found that consistent municipal services, including waste management, are a top factor in neighborhood desirability. When we cut corners on trash service, we're not saving money—we're costing homeowners equity.

Quality of Life 🌟

At the end of the day, this is about whether Port St. Lucie is a place people want to live. Do we want to be a city where families dread summer because of garbage smells? Where seniors can't manage their waste? Where working people have to schedule their lives around trash pickup?

Or do we want to be a city that gets the basics right? A city where you can take pride in your neighborhood? A city that works for the people who live here?

I know which one I want. And I know which one I'm going to fight for.

My Plan: Twice-Weekly Trash for a Cleaner PSL 🎯

Alright, so we agree once a week isn't cutting it. Here's exactly what we're going to do about it:

1. Restore Twice-Weekly Pickup 🗓️

This is the big one. We're bringing back twice-weekly garbage collection for all residential customers. No exceptions, no special zones—everyone gets the service they need.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "That sounds expensive, Steven." And yeah, it's not free. Estimates put the additional cost at around $131 per household annually. But here's the thing—we're not just going to raise fees and call it a day. We're going to find that money through smart management, competitive bidding, and efficiency improvements. More on that in a minute.

2. Double the Bulk Waste Service 🛋️

Once a month for bulk pickup isn't enough. We're expanding to twice monthly, with easier online scheduling so you can pick a day that works for you.

We're also going to streamline what's considered "bulk waste" so there's less confusion. If it's too big for your cart, it should qualify—period. No more arguing with customer service about whether your old grill counts.

3. Expand Free Drop-Off Days 📍

The city already operates a free drop-off program at the Public Works Complex, but the hours are limited—mostly weekdays when working people can't get there. We're expanding weekend hours so families can actually use this service.

We're also looking at satellite drop-off locations around the city so you don't have to drive across town just to get rid of a broken lawn chair.

4. Reliable Yard Waste Collection 🌿

If you've lived in PSL for any length of time, you know yard waste can be hit-or-miss. After a storm, when debris is piling up, reliable pickup is critical. We're going to ensure consistent yard waste service, especially during hurricane season when quick debris removal is a safety issue.

5. Better Cart Management 🔄

Need a replacement cart? An additional cart for a large family? Right now, that process is more complicated than it needs to be. We're simplifying cart requests and replacements so residents can get what they need without jumping through hoops.

How We'll Pay For It: Finding the Money (Again) 💰

Okay, let's talk numbers. Twice-weekly service costs more than once-weekly. That's reality. But here's my promise to you: we're not raising your waste fees without a fight. Here's how we make this work:

Competitive Contracting 📋

The current waste contract needs to go out for competitive bid. When multiple companies compete for your business, prices come down. It's basic economics. We're going to use our buying power to negotiate the best possible rate for twice-weekly service.

Other Florida cities have done this successfully. We can too.

Budget Efficiencies 🔍

Remember my number one priority? Find the money? Well, here's where it pays off. By cutting waste in other areas of the budget—redundant positions, bloated contracts, pet projects—we can redirect savings to services that actually matter to residents.

I'm talking about shifting priorities, not raising taxes. The money is there; we just need to spend it smarter.

Phased Implementation 📈

If we need to ease into this financially, we can start with high-density neighborhoods and areas with the greatest need—places with more families, more multi-unit housing, more bulk waste generation. Prove the concept, demonstrate the value, then expand citywide.

Resident Choice 🗳️

Here's a radical idea: let's ask residents what they want. We'll conduct a citywide survey giving people the choice between keeping once-weekly service at current costs or moving to twice-weekly with a modest fee adjustment.

I have a pretty good idea what the answer will be. But I believe in transparency and giving people a voice in decisions that affect their daily lives.

What Other Cities Are Doing 🌆

We're not asking for something crazy here. Most major cities in Florida—and across the country—provide twice-weekly trash collection. Here's what our neighbors are doing:

• West Palm Beach: Twice-weekly residential pickup
• Fort Lauderdale: Twice-weekly residential pickup
• Orlando: Twice-weekly residential pickup
• Tampa: Twice-weekly residential pickup

These cities have figured out how to make it work financially. They've recognized that reliable waste service is a basic expectation of municipal government. Port St. Lucie is the fastest-growing city on the Treasure Coast—we should be leading on quality of life, not lagging behind.

The Real Talk: Why This Matters to Me 🎯

I've lived in Port St. Lucie since 1989. I raised my kids here. I've worked in public safety here for 17 years. This isn't theoretical for me—it's personal.

I've walked through neighborhoods where the garbage smell hits you before you get out of your car. I've talked to elderly residents who can't manage their carts because they're overflowing after a few days. I've seen bulk waste sitting on curbs for weeks because pickup is backed up.

And I've thought: This isn't the Port St. Lucie I know. This isn't the city we should be.

We can do better. We must do better. And as your Mayor, I will make sure we do.

What You Can Do Right Now 📢

Change doesn't happen because one person wants it—it happens when a community demands it. Here's how you can help:

• Share your story. Email me at stevengiordanoformayor@aol.com and tell me how once-weekly pickup affects your family. I read every message.
• Talk to your neighbors. Most people just accept the status quo because they think it can't change. Let them know there's a candidate fighting for better service.
• Show up. Come to city council meetings. Write to current officials. Make your voice heard.
• Volunteer. Join the campaign. Help us spread the word that Port St. Lucie deserves better.

The Bottom Line: Clean Streets, Healthy City 🇺🇸

Trash service isn't glamorous. It's not going to make headlines or win awards. But it's one of those basic functions of government that, when done right, makes everything else better.

Clean streets mean healthier neighborhoods. Reliable pickup means less stress for families. Professional waste management means property values stay strong.

As Mayor, I won't accept "we can't afford it" as an excuse for substandard service. We'll find the money. We'll negotiate better contracts. We'll make the tough choices to prioritize what matters.

Because at the end of the day, your tax dollars should buy you a city that works. A city where you can take out the trash without worrying about it sitting in 90-degree heat for a week. A city where basic services meet basic standards.

That's not too much to ask. That's the minimum we should expect. And that's exactly what I'm going to deliver. 💯

Ready for twice-weekly trash pickup? Ready for a city that puts residents first? Join me. Let's make it happen.

Call me at (772) 812-3930 or email stevengiordanoformayor@aol.com. Let's talk about building a cleaner, better Port St. Lucie—together.