Spring Break
City council puts trash, garbage on agenda
Andrew Walters
Issue date: 3/31/04 Section: News
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The most important issue was a discussion on reducing the maximum amount of trash bags homeowners can put out on garbage day from six to three. According to Dave Schaab‚ a representative with Waste Management‚ the proposal would contribute $60‚000 in savings to a tight city budget for next year. However‚ the proposal was met with some opposition.
While most council members said they would appreciate the savings‚ aldermen in the northwest quadrant were weary of the change. This is because college residences heavily occupy those wards‚ and many houses regularly produce the six-bag limit. The concern is garbage would be left out and not picked up and would then become a city maintenance issue.
"This change would be a great concern to me in my ward. The health and appearance of the neighborhood is a huge concern for me‚" said Jane Coplan‚ second ward alderman.
Schaab‚ who gave a lengthy presentation on the effects of the ordinance‚ spoke frankly with the council about the effects of making such a change.
Schaab said that enacting the three-bag limit may encourage people to recycle more‚ considering they would have to pay a small fee to purchase a sticker to put on extra trash bags or containers. However‚ he also said many people are in the habit of putting out four or more bags‚ and the limit could cause a problem.
"There is a significant number of homes that generate more than three bags each week‚" Schaab said.
Schaab later added that when people have to pay extra to have trash removed‚ they sometimes find other ways to dispose of it‚ which can be a concern.
"When trash becomes migratory‚ it becomes a problem‚" Schaab said. "Many times it ends up where you don't want it."
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