Beginning in March, Columbia’s solid waste collection transitioned to the use of rolling refuse carts and automated collection trucks for residential curbside trash pickup. Ordinance amendments that allow the Solid Waste Utility to transition passed in March 2023 and set to go into effect the following year. Columbia residents received the carts throughout late February, and the new collection system went into effect early March 2024.
One standard roll cart was distributed to each Columbia residence, but customers had the option to size their cart up or down and assume the respective change to their bill. Customers made these selections in October 2023 via postcards sent to their residence.
Those who opted for the smaller 35 gallon cart are charged for collection at $12.87 per month, $17.37 per month for the standard cart or $22.50 for the larger 95 gallon cart. These sizes are designed to hold about three, six or ten 13 gallon trash bags, respectively. Customers are given a 120-day period after the cart’s initial arrival to determine if they’d like to exchange the size free of charge, which can be done by visiting CoMo.gov.
The City of Columbia website states that carts are to be placed at the curb no later than 6:30 a.m. on collection day and removed from the curb no later than 10 p.m.. In order for the cart to be collected, all trash must be placed inside the provided receptacles with the lid shut. Between collection days, customers are expected to store their carts inside or adjacent to the residential structure. Additional carts and one-time extra collections are also available for additional fees.
Public information specialist for City of Columbia Utilities Matt Nestor said this implementation is designed with the goals to improve working conditions for sanitation workers and collection efficiency, and that the use of automated collection allows the city to work efficiently with fewer employees.
“The City of Columbia Solid Waste Utility has had recruitment and retention issues on the collections staff for a number of years,” Nestor said. “One of the most cited reasons for that is because hopping on and off the back of a truck every day is a difficult and dangerous job. By switching to an automated collection system, the City is hoping to improve working conditions and employee safety in order to attract and retain sufficient staff and improve efficiency so we can provide a consistent and reliable service.”
As for recyclables, the introduction of roll carts will have no impact on collection. Recycling collection resumed March 18 and is set to continue on a bi-weekly basis. Nestor said based on a recent study on recycling collection, Solid Waste Utility recommended the City Council to switch to automated collection of roll carts for recycling. Before that can occur, Solid Waste Utility is evaluating the Material Recovery Facility, where recyclable materials are separated, bundled and sold. Adding or subtracting allowable recycling materials will impact collections, so updating and improving the facility is the first priority.
RBHS senior Ayla Coke said her family began using the roll carts for trash collection, and she finds ease with the new system. Coke said she thinks the carts are a good idea for sustainability, as they limit the amount of bags that can be disposed per week and also look “prettier all around” on trash days, as compared to piles of trash bags.
“For one, it’s a lot easier to store more bags without having to worry about them getting ripped up by animals when left outside,” Coke said. “You can also fit more than one bag [in the cart] at a time, so when you fill up one bag you can just set it in the bin, and it will be ready for pickup days in advance.”
RBHS health and Success Center teacher Amy McKenzie said the roll cart’s arrival at her house made trash collection easier in the sense that everything goes into one place instead of having multiple bags. McKenzie said one concern she sees is that people now have a responsibility to transport the cart back and forth.
“I think depending on the size of the cart, for some people having [a cart] that is mobile [and] can roll could potentially be helpful for people that are older or that have mobility concerns,” McKenzie said. “On the flip side, though, we saw an older lady trying to move her cart down a really steep driveway, and it seemed like she was struggling, so I think there’s two sides to that. It could potentially make it easier for some people to move, but it might be a little more difficult for others.”
While the new system is an adjustment for both residents and collectors, the city has so far seen success. According to the City of Columbia, at least 5,000 carts were distributed to residents and the Solid Waste Utility received more than 1,400 requests to size up. Coke said she thinks the new system will be efficient in the long run.
“I much prefer the cart system because it is simple and effective,” Coke said. “It’s no doubt that people are going to take time to adjust, but hopefully they will start to understand the reasoning behind the new cart system.”
What do you think about the new roll carts? Let us know in the comments below.
