<br>New rules for trash removal take effect Tuesday

New rules for refuse collection necessitated by the change to automated trash trucks go into effect Tuesday.

Among the most significant changes is the elimination of free, unlimited bulky items at the curb.

Under the new rules, collection of oversized or bulky items such as televisions, appliances, and couches is limited to one per quarter for each household.

Additional collection of bulky items will cost residents $50 for each pickup.

David Welch, Toledo's director of public service, said the city believes its new limit of one bulky item per quarter is reasonable, given that many families are unlikely to exercise that option more than once or twice a year.

"I think the move to bulky quarterly pickup is plenty," Mr. Welch said.

That and other rule changes were developed after months of discussions between city officials and City Council members. Procedures of other communities that adopted automated garbage collection also were reviewed.

The switch to automated trash trucks allowed the trash division to use trucks with only a driver rather than the three-person crews needed to run traditional garbage trucks.

The old system involved 45 drivers and 96 collectors.

The new one will have 53 drivers and 10 collectors, resulting in a projected $3 million annual savings in trash collection.

The change meant the end of residents leaving unlimited bags and large items at the curb to be picked up with the regular collections, causing a dramatic increase in calls for bulk pickups and increased overtime to handle the work.

Mr. Welch said the city expects the increased overtime to fall off as the trash division moves to the one free bulky pickup per quarter.

The new rules also allow citizens to buy an additional refuse cart for $75 and not be charged extra for the collection of it.

The city also announced the introduction of the Solid Waste Accommodation Program, which allows residents who have medical conditions and are unable to move refuse carts to the curb to instead have their garbage picked up in bags at the curb.

To qualify for the program, which was designed with help from the Ability Center of Greater Toledo, citizens must provide medical documentation from a physician.

Contact Mark Reiter at:

markreiter@theblade.com

or 419-724-6199.