WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: City Modifying Recycling & Garbage Pick-Up

In a letter to residents Wednesday, interim City Manager Greg Usry unveiled modifications to the city’s recycling and garbage pick-up procedures. Here is what you need to know:

• Recycling will be split between your first and second garbage days. Paper/Cardboard will be collected on your first garbage day, and plastic/glass on the second;
• The city is moving to curbside pick-up only;
• Changes will take effect the week of July 13th.

The full letter, with various context, is provided below.

“Dear Residents,

With the renewal of regular garbage collections the week of July 13th, the City has taken the opportunity to review its procedures in light of City equipment, employee safety and efficiency and the general demands on our Public Works staff. We learned a great deal from the modified services during the shutdown and, in reopening, we are taking this opportunity to modify a few aspects of City-wide garbage collection. Most aspects will remain unchanged; twice-weekly garbage collection, bulk, metals/electronics, green waste and food scraps pick-up for current subscribers.

For recycling, this year we are faced with replacing our aged specialized truck, at significant cost, or using our new all-purpose trucks in this task. With the acquisition of our new garbage trucks, we are now able to maintain the same service, provided we modify the collection schedule. Beginning July 13th, recycling will be split between your first and second garbage days. Paper/Cardboard will be collected on your first garbage day, and plastic/glass on the second. I realize this will require a slight adjustment on your part, but the overall benefits to the City as a whole are significant.

Second, with the required curbside pick-up over the last three months, we were able to continue to provide garbage services, while protecting our DPW workers’ health. We also know, from years of experience, that doing garbage collections from residents’ garages, rear yards, utility sheds, etc. causes significant damage to personal and private property, city trucks and contributes to employee work-related injuries. As a result, we are moving to curbside pick-up only. Again, I recognize this is a change from past practice but the overall benefits outweigh the slight inconvenience. We do recognize the necessity to continue traditional collection for the elderly or those with physical limitations. For anyone who received a waiver of curbside pick- up during the last three months, this will continue. For anyone who has specific limitations, we will make special provisions on a case-by-case basis.

These few changes will take effect the week of July 13th. In the meantime, we will be emailing notices, posting the changes on the City ‘s website and on the DPW app, as well as attaching reminder cards to your garbage cans over the next few weeks. I appreciate your understanding and patience.

Greg Usry

Interim City Manager”