Post-Irma ORCA Garbage Gab: Understanding the Debris Removal Process

Post-Irma ORCA Garbage Gab:

Understanding the Debris Removal Process

ORCA is working hard to remove the enormous amount of debris left behind by Hurricane Irma. To understand the magnitude of effort being put into restoring our community here is a brief explanation of the process:

Phase 1: Immediately after Irma, we began clearing our roads. This was a preliminary “cut and toss” process to clear the roads for emergency vehicles.

Phase 2:We began collecting and removing the debris from our community. Initially, FEMA would only pick up debris along public roadways which left us with the task of loading and hauling each truck load of debris to a designated collection spot along CR-905 outside of our front gates.

Phase 3: At ORCA’s request, we now have authority from the federal government for FEMA’s removal company, AshBrit, Inc... to come into Ocean Reef and collect the debris. This saves ORCA and our homeowners a significant amount of time and money.

Phase 4: To clear our community of debris, ORCA has setup four green waste collection sites. These sites are located at The Four Corners, Cannon Point, Sunrise, and at the Clubs existing green waste collection area located in the Service Village. All debris collected by ORCA, the Club, and private contractors can be taken to these sites where it will be hauled away by AshBritt, Inc. at FEMA's expense. These "green" waste sites are for vegetation and sea weed only.

How you can help: As a homeowner you too can participate in the cleanup. The easiest way to expedite debris removal from your home is to have your landscaper collect the vegetation and dump it at one of our four green waste collection sites. If your landscaper cannot do that for you, the debris can be left curbside at your home where the Club’s Solid Waste trucks will pick it up. However, please note that this may take some time as there is a great deal of waste and a limited number of Solid Waste trucks.

Please instruct your landscaper NOT to dump debris from your yard onto ORCA, Club or neighboring properties. Also, all debris must be separated - Construction debris, household goods (appliances, furniture), hazardous waste (paint, cleaning supplies, etc...), residential trash and recycling, and vegetation must be kept separate. Do NOT bag vegetation debris.

To get a better visual of the debris removal process stay tune for our video: “Trash Talk with David Ritz”