City Preparing to Eliminate Friday Solid Waste Collection

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For the past couple years the City has been reviewing ways to cut costs in the Division of Solid Waste, while enhancing resident services. A major change that will be implemented in July 9, 2012 is the elimination of Friday trash collection. Residents who currently have Friday pick-up will be placed in other week days. Beginning this week, bright green notification stickers will be placed on supercans alerting residents who are impacted of their new collection day.  Elderly and disabled residents who are registered for ‘backdoor’ service will continue to receive it. The Department of Public Works will conduct community outreach aimed at educating the public so the transition will run as smoothly as possible. Also, beginning                June 1, residents will be able to go to the City’s website and key in their address to find out their collection day. 
This change to a four day operation for the Division of Solid Waste will reduce the City’s collection routes from 113 to 90 collection routes, which will require fewer City employees and temporary workers. No lay-offs will occur as positions currently open will not be filled. In addition, during weeks in which a holiday falls on Monday, trash collection can be rescheduled for Friday without the City incurring overtime costs.  
Other cost saving measures include last year’s purchase of a new fleet of solid waste trucks.  The new vehicles are larger than the previous fleet and are able to compact more trash; which means they are on their routes longer because they do not need to be emptied as often.  Another plus is these trucks operate on compressed natural gas (CNG), which is not more expensive than diesel and is friendlier to the environment.  By operating the fleet four days a week instead of five, the wear and tear on the trucks will be better managed due to the division’s ability to conduct preventive maintenance each Friday.
The changes being introduced will help the City realize savings of nearly $250,000 dollars annually.
To learn more about City services and programs, please visit, www.RichmondGov.com.