A few years ago Argus reporter Ellis wrote an extensive article about having a municipal garbage service. And before everyone cries ‘Socialism’ I want to say it wouldn’t work like a municipal ambulance service (which would be maintained by the SFFD). More then likely the city would contract with probably 3-4 haulers. The benefits would be;
Likely be cheaper because the contractor would NOT be paying tipping fees
NO MORE fly by night operations
Recycling would be monitored more closely and be more accurate
No delays in service (if one provider was down, another could come in)
It would likely be quicker because the city would be put in sections and depending on what section you are in there would be a specific day they would pickup. In other words a truck could park and pickup several houses at one time instead of bouncing around from client to client, which would also save fuel costs, labor, time, etc.
Service fees could be tied into your water bill saving billing hassles.
I think the system now is complicated and the haulers all have different rules and fees which is not good. It would also help the landfill manage the system better because they would know exactly when trucks would be delivering and when.
Like I said, this wouldn’t create some new socialist system, it would simply streamline what we have now and eliminate the confusion. It would probably help the major providers because they would pickup more clients and be able to provide more jobs. It would also benefit the recyclers in town with mandated recycling amounts.
It’s time the city council explores this.
It would have to be cheaper. You’re eliminating the middleman. Plus, the city would pay such workers better – most likely – than the current private haulers do.
Now, let’s talk about our “socialistic streetcleaners:” Where in the hell are they? My neighborhood, prior to Huether, use to see them three times a year (April, July, and November). I haven’t seen one yet in my neighborhood this year, but I did see one just driving down Kiwanis the other day……#Government4ThePeopleNotJust4TheElite
Growing up in Sioux City this is what they had, a municipal service. With the state of our roads now emulating the quality of their roads, our multiple empty strip mall fronts mirroring theirs I think this is the next logical step in recreating the utopia that is our sister Sioux of the South. This would be a good way for new “fees” and “taxes” to be applied to fund new projects too. Excellent idea.
I see several problems with this solution
1 – It requires the city to pick winners and loser, who are the handful that get the contracts? I can’t imagine the small time garbage guy who is told by the city, sorry Charlie you can’t pick up garbage anymore we went with these 4 guys. You know the only people who will be able to do this are Novak, Waste Management, etc. The little guy is toast!
2 – If you have one go down, that is actually a disadvantage as now the other 3 or so have to pick up a large chunk and if running lean will not be able to meet the demands.
3- Corruption will happen at some point as someone will get greased to get contracts, etc. Company A gets a 5 year contract, all the sudden retired councilor X has a new job at Company A after his/her term is up. Amazing and we have seen this recently
4 – I think prices will actually go up as there will be less competition. I will get stuck with the garbage company of my zone or the pick of 2.
5 – My normal sticking point on these types of items, why do we want the govt involved, they usually screw it up, we need less not more
I think this is a Solution in need of a problem, not the other way around. It literally takes 20 minutes to call a new garbage place and have someone come pick it up, been there done that as I had issues at one point.
1. City does this all the time with all kinds of subcontractors, snow plowing, tree trimming, etc. If you fit the requirements, you get the contract. It couldn’t be FREE enterprise than that. Besides this is about the taxpayer and the citizen, not whether a business persons can stay in business or not. My grandfather ran probably 5 different kinds of businesses before working for someone. That’s life.
2. You would actually rotate routes so if one was down, or partially down, you wouldn’t even notice.
3. Just like road contracts or any other service the city contracts out, it would have to go thru a thorough vetting process.
4. You actually ELIMINATE competition and tipping fees. You also have fuel and labor costs go down. I’m not sure how it could be more expensive.
5. Well how is private business handling it now? I see 3-4 garbage trucks a week in my neighborhood over a whole week, if the process changed I would see one, once a week. Cities across the nation have handled it. Has there been problems? Sure, but we have problems now, mostly in customer service.
Other cities I’ve lived in had one garbage service. It wasn’t municipal but whomever won a multi year bid. It was cheaper because rates were set.
You’ve left out most important benefits. One truck coming down your street once a week is less road repair. Now there are 5 or so trucks. Also, it’s safer when trucks stop at every house. They’re not racing to keep a schedule. Residents know once a week times so they can monitor their children.
I just disagree and don’t see a problem, I think people are making it a problem. Just get a different garbage dude if you don’t like it. Govt controlling this is not the answer, the garbage business can handle it.
To Clarify something, you would HAVE to put garbage haulers out of business if you went with that model in order to get to a select group of contractors, no way around it as you could not manage 100+ garbage contractors all the time in your model. Someone will have to go out of business and the govt will be forcing them out. I am not down with that at all
Why do we need contracts? The city should just create its own fleet.
I’m not for socialism but I am for municipal garbage service.
Water, sewer and garbage are a health issues. We would see a huge reduction in dumping and our streets will be cleaner. Many other cities do it already and it’s included in their water sewer bill.
I agree with E.S.G., L3wis, D.S. & L.J.L. Municipal garbage collection is done in cities across the country. Unfortunately, SF civic leaders eons ago evidently let this genie out of the bottle. I don’t see how you can ever turn a competitive open market service sector back into a municipal department. We’re stuck with the status quo private garbage collection here.
I just heard this story yesterday.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/06/05/minnesota-cities-organized-trash-pickup-see-lower-costs-controversy
Blasphemo – You can turn it into a municipal department but, you have to put people out of business. I think that is the wrong message to send to the citizens of Sioux Falls. If the city were to directly compete with private haulers they would have an unfair advantage as they don’t have to turn a profit just break even.
I see the logic in wanting this, I just don’t think its feasible and its unfair. In the end unless this topic receives serious traction the conversations and debates are moot at this point.
JG, thanks for posting, everything I said that would be beneficial, including this;
“For instance, in the city’s next trash contract, Maplewood may add residential organics recycling and pay-as-you go pricing that rewards people for minimizing their trash.”
Fantastic idea! As a single person I have often felt I get screwed on my garbage bill.
CH, it’s call the FREE enterprise system, winners and losers everyday, I would think a self-confessed conservative would be all for that.
CH – I agree. It’s the “putting people out of business” part of the equation that’s tough to swallow. On the other hand, the very timely MPR News story (6/5/19) that J.G. shared is very enlightening. Other municipalities have found a way to turn garbage collection into a municipal service. It illustrates, however, the process is not without complications/pain/potential lawsuits.
Scott – I am all for winners and losers, the field is not level when the govt gets involved as they don’t need to turn a profit. I don’t think its right to put all these other guys out of business because in this model there can only be “one” or a “few”. I also would not call it FREE enterprise when the govt is in the mix. Do we want the govt competing with private businesses? I want less govt not more.
This group surprised me in the comments section. Never thought so many would be in favor of putting all these small business owners out of business because that has to happen for this to move forward.
I agree with Conservative Here. Seems people are making a problem where there isn’t one, especially one that is important enough for the city to focus on. They have other issues that they need to fix and giving them MORE responsibility/power doesnt seem to be in the best interest of the citizens or our wallets.