Solid Waste Rate Adjustment

In 2010, Orlando City Council approved an annual 4% solid waste rate adjustment to account for increased operating costs, growth planning, and emergencies. The conversion of our heavy fleet to compressed natural gas and the re-balancing of routes allowed the Solid Waste Division to forgo the adjustment from 2014 to 2020.

However, expenses continued to increase as a result of several external factors including the global pandemic, the slowdown in the supply chain, and rising inflation. As a result, a rate adjustment was issued each year from 2021 to 2023.

As we balance our budget for this upcoming fiscal year, several external costs must be planned for. Disposal fees are increasing by 12% each year for the next three years while fuel costs have increased 11% since January 2024 and are projected to rise.

Thanks to continued operational efficiencies like balancing routes to reduce overtime costs, customer audits, and implementation of technology, Solid Waste will absorb much of the increased expenses and will keep the rate adjustment at the approved 4%.

Single-family homes will see a monthly adjustment of 87 cents. Our business customers will see an adjustment of 32 cents per cubic yard. For example, a customer with a four cubic yard dumpster that is collected twice per week will see an adjustment of $11.13 per month. To continue balancing our budget, this rate adjustment is expected to continue annually.