Irmo officials consider larger recycling bins, automated trucks, and ordinance updates as complaints continue.
The Town of Irmo is considering larger recycling bins and changes to how garbage is collected within the town limits as part of an effort to address ongoing sanitation complaints.
During a town workshop Tuesday, Jan. 6, council members heard from Jim Reed, president of NewSouth Waste, which currently holds Irmo’s sanitation contract.
“The days of someone hanging off the back of the truck and jumping off at every stop to clear the curb are gone,” Reed said. “Rear-load garbage trucks are very rare.”
Reed said NewSouth Waste transitioned to automated, one-man side-load trucks three months ago and is still working through operational challenges.
“As residents get used to the new arrangements, the issues will be less and less,” Reed said.
Town officials receive numerous complaints each month related to trash pickup, with one of the most common concerns being the size of current recycling bins. To address that issue, NewSouth Waste has proposed replacing the existing 60-gallon recycling carts with larger 95-gallon bins.
The estimated cost to residents would be approximately $1.19 per household per month.
“The complaints will always be there,” Mayor Bill Danielson said. “Educating the public is the only way to resolve them.”
Missed pickups frequently occur when cars are parked too close to bins, preventing the truck’s automated arm from reaching them, or when trash is placed beside the cart, which will not be collected. Additional problems arise when carts are facing the wrong direction, causing spillage if an attempt is made to empty them.
Town officials emphasized that carts must be placed at least three feet away from stationary objects such as mailboxes, vehicles, and trees. The metal bar and opening of the cart should face the street and be no more than three feet from the curb.
In addition to sanitation discussions, Town Administrator Jim Crosland presented proposed updates to the town’s Rules and Order of Proceedings ordinance.
“These are housekeeping cleanups that bring us more in line with other municipalities,” Crosland said.
Proposed changes include clarifying citizen participation on both agenda and non-agenda items and allowing for the addition or removal of agenda items during meetings.
“There appears to be a lot of redundancy in the way some of these are worded,” Mayor Danielson said. “The changes will help immensely with the flow of our meetings and the business at hand.”
Photo from Curbtender.com
