Our Opinion: Awaiting trash disposal options for Jefferson City

Will a preferable choice be among the available choices for future trash disposal?

Jefferson City residents will know more about how to answer that question when city officials reveal proposals at 5:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Readers will recall the contract for solid waste disposal was a topic of much consternation six years ago when the contract was up for renewal.

Trash disposal affects everyone, so everyone has an interest. City ordinance requires every residence subscribe, although some residents balk at the mandate.

The focus of controversy in 2009 was the proposed transition by existing provider Allied Waste from volume-based trash bags to standard-volume trash carts.

The transition included other changes; curbside recycling was included in the service and pickup went from twice-weekly to weekly.

The major sticking point, however, was the elimination of bags, which allowed residents to pay based on how much trash they generate.

The solid waste industry is transitioning to using trucks with mechanical arms that pick up and empty reusable carts. The change reduces potential injury, liability and manpower.

Although the carts are a standard size, Allied, the existing provider, will provide smaller carts by special arrangement.

Any return to volume-based service, therefore, is likely to be a wider choice of cart sizes, at corresponding rates, rather than bags.

The extent of options, however, will depend on the number of proposals received by the city.

Despite the controversy surrounding the 2009 renewal, the city received only a single proposal from Allied, now reflected on bills as Republic Services.

We understand the industry's transition to carts as a means to improve safety and efficiency.

However, other utilities - including power and water - bill customers by volume, based on metered usage.

Although precise measurements of trash volume may be impossible, estimates based on a wider range of cart sizes are preferable to a one-size-fits-all fee.

Time soon will tell what options are available to the city and solid waste customers.