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1. What should I do if my waste is not picked up at the curb?

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County provides garbage and recycling collection for the residents and businesses of unincorporated Palm Beach County. The SWA provides this service using contract haulers. The County is divided into Service Areas, each of which is awarded to an individual hauler that has the exclusive right to provide service in accordance with the Service Guidelines in their contract.

Contact

Your service is our primary concern. That is why the SWA has a team of Customer Information Service Area Coordinators and Customer Service Representatives ready to assist you with service quality issues and to answer your questions.

If you live in unincorporated Palm Beach County and have a collection problem or concern, you can contact Customer Information Services at 561-697-2700, or toll-free from southern and western Palm Beach County at 866-SWA-INFO (866-792-4636). You can also contact us online.

If you live in a municipality, please contact your city. As a courtesy, we have compiled a list of municipal contacts.

2. How do I contact the SWA's Public Records Custodian?

Public Records Custodian: 

Kathy Levas 

klevas@swa.org 

561-640-4000 ext. 4606

561-640-3400 (FAX) 

7501 N. Jog Road 

West Palm Beach, FL 33412

Submit a Public Records Request online»

3. What are public records?

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes defines 'Public Records' to mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics or the means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency. Chapter 119 provides that public records must be open to inspection by 'any person' with the exception of those designated exemptions detailed in Chapter 119 and other state statutes.

4. How can I request a public record?

To request verbally, call 561-640-4000 and ask for Kathy Levas (ext. 4606) during regular business hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

To request in writing, complete the form and email it, fax it (Fax: 561-640-3400) or mail to:

Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Records Custodian 7501 N. Jog Road West Palm Beach, FL 33412

5. Are there fees involved in getting records?

Fees for public records are as follows:

Electronic records - No charge
Single-sided copies - $0.15 each
Double-sided copies - $0.20 each
True copy certification (under Notary Seal) - $1 per certification
Postage - By weight and delivery type
Special Charge - If a request requires extensive clerical or supervisory assistance or a review by legal staff, then a special labor charge will be imposed.

Payment for public records shall be collected before the materials are released or made available for inspection. You will be notified once estimated costs have been determined.

6. When will I get the records?

Florida law states that an agency must respond within a “limited reasonable time.” This is the time it takes to review the request, search, retrieve, and process records for release. Some requests may only take a few minutes while others may take weeks. The length of time it takes largely depends on activity, volume, and scope but the Solid Waste Authority is committed to providing requested records as quickly and efficiently as possible.

7. Where can I find more information about public records?

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes fully outlines public records laws, including a list of exemptions.

8. What is the policy regarding email communication and public records requests?

Florida law requires that we post the following statement:
"Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing."

The Solid Waste Authority regrets any inconvenience this may cause.