This week the city of Sioux City started changing out bins used for garbage and recycling.
But the plan didn’t go as smoothly as expected, with some residents trash-talking the process.
Siouxland Public Media's reached out to Aira Montange the Environmental Services Program and Development Manager to find out more about the issue and what is being done to clean up any concerns.
“We got off to a shaky start, we provided a map to the vendor. And they were supposed to collect the old bina and put out the new bins at the same time, but somehow the vendor got off track in delivering the new bins. So we had a lot of people without bins because the old bins were hauled away and the new bins were not delivered.”
Montage explains why the bins need to be replaced. It's all part of the city’s new 10-year contract with Gill Hauling, which includes the replacement of garbage and recycling bins.
“So, we do have a lot of automated trucks now. And so, we want them to have a bin that works better with those trucks. There was also the issue that some of our bins are up to 20 years old. And some of them are, you know, maybe only a few years old, when we did that process of maybe bringing in a few bins at a time to replace lost or stolen or broken bins, we started getting a collection of different types of bins.”
“You'll see blue bins, pink bins, brown bins, green, maybe brown with a yellow lid. We're trying to make the bins or the containers more uniform. That way, it's easier for the trucks to see. So that we're not mixing, recycling with trash or trash with recycling. It is to help the drivers be able to define what's in each bin. Along with helping with the automated trucks.”
For people concerned about the waste left behind by the old bins. Montage says they will be recycled.
“And some people might see them being taken apart right in their street. So all the plastic goes one place and we'll go another place and then that'll go someplace else. So everything will be recycled.”
Solid Waste Containers:
- A minimum of one (1) each wheeled container for waste and comingled Residential Yard Waste shall be provided to each Low Density (single family) Residential Premises for once per week solid waste collection. The standard container size shall be 95 gallons. The Contractor shall include an option making a 65-gallon container available to the resident in place of the 95-gallon container (at the price shown in Exhibit A) if the customer so chooses. Charges for containers shall be based on the largest container at the residence.
- Additional solid waste refuse containers up to a maximum of six (6) total for waste refuse, comingled Residential Yard Waste, and recycling shall be made available to the resident at the rates set forth on Exhibit A if the resident requests extra containers; provided, however, that a resident with a 65-gallon container must first move to a 95-gallon container before an additional container will be provided.
- Contractor shall provide assistance to elderly or disabled citizens. An application, a copy of which is attached in Appendix B, shall be used to qualify residents for special disability service. Once the resident has completed the certification application, the Contractor shall review and approve or disapprove the application as appropriate in a timely manner, Approved applications shall immediately be added to the roll of active special disability service customers. The contractor shall immediately notify the Director of all service additions and/or denials. The contractor shall include reasons for any denial of service.
- Yard waste can be co-mingled with solid waste container.
Recycling Containers:
- A minimum of one (1) each wheeled containers for recyclable material shall be provided to each Low Density (single family) Residential Premises for every other week collection. The standard container size shall be 95 gallons. The Contractor shall include an option making a 65-gallon container available to the resident in place of the 95-gallon container.
- Additional recycling containers up to a maximum of six (6) total for waste refuse, comingled Residential Yard Waste, and recycling shall be made available to the resident at the rates set forth on Exhibit A if the resident requests an extra container.
- When a resident has additional recycling, they shall be allowed to use a clearly labeled personal City approved container or a sturdy cardboard box for recyclables. Cardboard (OCC) shall not be required to be containerized; however, it shall be broken down or flattened by the resident prior to collection by the Contractor.
