“Heard It First From The Mayor” Four-Day Refuse Pick-Up
For the past couple years the City has been reviewing ways to cut costs in the Division of Solid Waste, while enhancing resident services.
As a result, beginning July 9, 2012 the city will eliminate Friday trash collection. Residents who currently have Friday pick-up will be placed in other week days. Elderly and disabled residents who are registered for ‘backdoor’ service will continue to receive it. Residents should go to www.Richmondgov.com and key in their address to find out if their collection day has changed.
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, which is less expensive than diesel and 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.
Combined these changes 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
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