Every Other Week Garbage Pick-Up
Here’s a little something we noticed in the October edition of the City of Tacoma’s News You Can Use (pdf):
Heads up! In spring 2013, Solid Waste Management begins a 10-month-long phased implementation of the switch to every-other-week garbage collection. It depends on where you live in Tacoma as to when your collection frequency will change. We’ll reach out to households by phone and mail as the change approaches specific areas. Find the most up-to-date information about the switch to every-other-week garbage collection at www.TacomaRecycles.org/everyotherweek.
Okay, so someone may have jumped the gun a little in announcing the switch, but it’s possible we could be seeing less frequent pick-up of our trash soon.
Last year the City tried out an every-other-week garbage pick-up pilot program, which was not without contention. The proposal has made its way to the Environment and Public Works Committee, and neighborhood council presentations are being made.
The proposed implementation plan calls for city-wide implementation in 2013. The program would save money in the long-run, but project implementation would initially cost more than it saves, due in part to the need to purchase larger replacements for residential containers, and to hire 21 temporary employees to swap out containers and go door-to-door to explain the program to residents.
Projections are that every-other-week pick-up would decrease the costs of collection by somewhere in the neighborhood of $1 million annually, but one-time costs of implementation and container purchase would add up to $1.7 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
Public Works staff brought the proposal to the Environment and Public Works Committee last week, requesting a do-pass, but the idea of hiring temporary workers for a new program at a time when lay-offs are in the near future for current employees raised questions for the Committee. Discussion ensued of whether the temp positions would be union, of whether the cost is included in the budget, and of ways to ensure that Public Works employees laid off in the next round of City cuts could apply for the positions.
The Committee ultimately decided to defer consideration of the “do pass” request until Public Works staff had worked with Human Resources regarding the timing of the layoffs and hiring of the temporary positions.
So, it’s not a done deal, but the discussion continues. What are your thoughts?
Read more on the every-other-week program from the City, or from the Tacoma Daily Index.
Filed under: City Government, City Services
9 comments
W William Swigart October 19, 2012
If we are going to every two week pickup, then a couple of things come to mind. We the rate payers should get the savings in reduced monthly rates, additionally all pickups should occur in the same week on the same day. Remembering whether the pickup for garbage is this week, and recycle this week or next and then what about yard waste…just another tidbit of information we have to be concerned with. Now on the other hand, if the solid waste department would provide weather proof stickers with the actual pick up dates each year that would help.
J jd October 19, 2012
It seems pretty obvious that a fortune could be saved simply in fuel costs. Cutting in half the number of times per year that a fleet of very low MPG rigs drive all over the city would save a pile of money in fuel costs alone. And as to the matter of passing the savings on to us, that has never been the intent. The intent is to cuts costs within the Solid Waste Department, not cut costs for the customer.
J Jim C October 19, 2012
@jd: not necessarily. Since we’re assuming that the volume of solid waste to haul every two weeks is the same the capacity needed to haul it can’t decrease: so does the city double the number of trucks it sends out on garbage day, or send out bigger trucks (more gas?) If the routes need to be made more efficient, why not do that without completely overhauling the way the service is delivered? I should probably read the city’s literature before asking all these questions, but I don’t think a “fortune” is going to be saved by the city’s waste management dept. anytime soon.
And honestly, I really just wanted a chance to use my horrible pun, i don’t truly believe there is a garbage conspiracy in Tacoma (but rest assured SOMEONE is making money off this.)
F fred davie October 20, 2012
The change from once per week collection to every other week collection is just a precursor to the fully realized changes that Tacoma’s greenies have in store for the citizens.
In just a few years when everybody has been properly groomed to accept this state of affairs we will be informed that the every other week collections will be changed to every three weeks and then later on to monthly collection. There is no stopping the green revolution. Only when our neighborhoods resemble a third world slum will the greenies be happy.
J Jesse October 21, 2012
I just read an article in Urban Farm magazine about how Portland went to a every other week trash pickup and a weekly recycle and composting pickup. They cut trash by 40% and increased recycling significantly this way.
J John October 21, 2012
Fred, I guess the one bit of joy you can derive out of all this green being forced upon you is the joy you get out of all of your anger and anguish. We all know how you feel about trees and zoo animals. Imagine the outpouring of angst we’ll get from you as the government forces us to try to take better care of the planet.
R RHTCCComedyfan January 9, 2014
R RHTCCComedyfan January 9, 2014
R RHTCCComedyfan January 9, 2014