Changes in trash pick-up collection and cost

The Columbus Council approved an ordinance that will increase the amount residents pay for trash collection, while the issues about the types of trucks and increased pick-up schedules have yet to be resolved.

Under the ordinance residents will be charged a rate of $21 per month for the full cost of collection at the curb or the city right-of-way and disposal of garbage, trash, and other solid waste including yard waste on any residential property. This is an increase of $3, as the current rate is $18.

The increase is set to begin this month..

Every customer will have to pay the new rate, unless they meet the low-income qualifications.

The ordinance states that low-income households will receive a 25 percent per month offset rounded to the nearest dime.

The ordinance defines a low-income household as one which receives food stamps, aid to families with dependent children, or has a total yearly income below the poverty income guidelines for family units in the United States set by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, which are as follows:

·         a family size of one can make no more than $15,060; 

·         a family size of two can make no more than $20,440;

·         a family size of three can make no more than $25,820;

·         a family size of four can make no more than $31,200;

·         a family size of five can make no more than $36,580;

·         a family size of six can make no more than $41,960;

·         a family size of seven can make no more than $47,340;

·         a family size of eight can make no more than $52,720; and

·         for each additional person, add $5,380.

Although residents understand that increases are needed, they are tired of paying more for less and how that along with the increase they will receive better and more efficient service.

In fact, Regina Jones who lives in South Columbus said she is still upset that trash cans are only emptied once a week.

“We need to go to those automated trucks and have garbage picked up twice a week. Other cities our size does that,” she said.

Also, there is a new temporary waste collection schedule. If your current collection day is on a Monday or Tuesday, your new temporary collection day for yard waste will now be Wednesday. If your collection day is on Thursday or Friday, you new collection day will be Saturday.

Also new for Columbus residents, effective this week, all household waste must be placed in city-issued black or brown carts for collection.

According to a press release issued by the city; “Waste that is not in these carts will not be collected. Citizens wanting to purchase a second cart (brown cart) for residential household waste at a onetime fee of $55 can do so by calling 311.”

There is no additional charge to collect from the second cart/brown cart purchased from the city.

Qualified low-income residents who have applied and been approved, based on Federal Government Poverty Guidelines, will be eligible for a brown city issued household waste cart at no cost. The income rates are listed above.

All collection services (household garbage, recycling, and yard waste) will be provided on the same day as the normal household garbage day. Citizens will only need to put out carts once a week.

For bulk waste collection, including green waste or junk, citizens must request this service by calling 311. This service is not part of the regular curbside collection and needs to be scheduled separately.

Please ensure that there is a 3-foot clearance around each cart and avoid placing them near stationary objects such as cars, transformer boxes, power poles or etc.

As a reminder, all limbs cut for the city to collect must be no longer than four (4) feet in length and no wider than six (6) inches in diameter. Any limbs exceeding these dimensions will not be collected.