Trash service in COS?? (HOA, house, neighborhood)

[orngkat]

As my bill just came due again, I am wondering why it is that Colo Springs trash and recycling services aren't provided as a city service like most large cities do? They could contract with existing companies by area. Seems really inefficient to have multiple private waste companies going up and down alleys and streets every day and with recycling as an add-on option, many choose not to recycle at all.

[Mike from back east]

Agree. We have city pickup here in Peoria, AZ and the service is outstanding; always on time and they provide the bins. We only hear the trucks on Tuesday morning and that's it.

When we lived in COLO SPGS our HOA contracted with WMI for service and it only cost us $109/year per house for weekly pickup of trash and recycling. Back in Fairfax County, VA, we were on our own and it cost $110 per MONTH and that was 15 years ago. Back there, different companies ran their trucks on different days of the week so we heard trash trucks several days a week.

In COLO SPGS the anti-tax crowd will nix any form of city government trash service even if it only adds a buck a year to their tax bills (cut off nose, spite face). Guv'mint is the problem, dontcha know.

[DrDog]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Agree. We have city pickup here in Peoria, AZ and the service is outstanding; always on time and they provide the bins. We only hear the trucks on Tuesday morning and that's it.

When we lived in COLO SPGS our HOA contracted with WMI for service and it only cost us $109/year per house for weekly pickup of trash and recycling. Back in Fairfax County, VA, we were on our own and it cost $110 per MONTH and that was 15 years ago. Back there, different companies ran their trucks on different days of the week so we heard trash trucks several days a week.

In COLO SPGS the anti-tax crowd will nix any form of city government trash service even if it only adds a buck a year to their tax bills (cut off nose, spite face). Guv'mint is the problem, dontcha know.

Your city picks up your trash, but you still pay for it.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by DrDog

Your city picks up your trash, but you still pay for it.

Of course we pay for it in our taxes, which I'm fine with, and the service is excellent. One thing we don't have is trash trucks from numerous companies all roaming around the city six days a week.

[orngkat]

Another real benefit of city trash service is that they often come and pick up storm debris as part of their service. Here, after our latest round of damaged trees, we will have to pay someone (who is probably very busy) to haul off limbs.

[otowi]

I never knew it was done differently anywhere else since I've grown up here.... interesting!

[Belle99]

I have no problem with how it's done. I like having a choice. Back where I was from, you could complain to the town office if they didn't pick up your trash, but otherwise you were stuck with whatever service you got.

Recycling is actually quite costly and a lot of communities in the US are either burning or burying their recycling because of the cost. Also China is no longer taking recycling anymore.

Keep in mind, that this service isn't free. I would much rather choose what company I get service from. Trash trucks don't bother me.

[DoodlemomCoS]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Of course we pay for it in our taxes, which I'm fine with, and the service is excellent. One thing we don't have is trash trucks from numerous companies all roaming around the city six days a week.

I really miss this about our previous city. We have trash trucks every day in our neighborhood. Up here we like Bestway.

[orngkat]

Just my humble opinion, but basic services like sanitation should be a city responsibility.

[DrDog]

I fail to see why you guys have this opinion?
Waste management does my trash. I have the standard 96 gal containers, one for trash and one for recycle that get picked up every week. The cost comes out of my HOA fee which is next to nothing. Why would government do it better?