VARIABLE RATE BASED SYSTEMS IN GEORGIA
Revised March 1999
CITIES
Athens-Clarke
County Population:
45,000
Contact:
Sharyn Dickerson, Assistant Solid Waste Director Households: 9,000
Melissa
Tweedell, Program Education Specialist (single family)
1005
College Avenue
Athens,
GA 30601
(706)
613-3503
FAX: (706) 613-3513
Email: recycle@acc-recycle.org
Athens-Clarke County began a
volume-based program on September 11, 1995 for residents in single family homes
and commercial businesses (large and small) in the Urban Service District
(former Athens city limits).
·
Residents must provide their own garbage cans (up to 32 gallons) with tight
fitting lids. Residents choose their level of service and are charged the
associated fee on their water bill as follows: one 20 gallon can
($12.00/month), one 32 gallon can ($13.00/month), two 32 gallon cans
($16.00/month), three 32 gallon cans ($22.00/month), four 32 gallon cans
($30.00), or five 32 gallon cans ($42.00/month). Residents are allowed one
opportunity each year to change their service for free; after that, it will
cost $10 for every change. Residents can put additional garbage in
trash bags with a special sticker that can be purchased for $2 each. Large items that need to be disposed can be
picked up on a cost of service basis. Residents outside of the Urban Service
District can contract with a franchised private hauler for garbage collection. All franchised haulers are required to offer
some type of volume-based program to their clients.
·
Large businesses using traditional dumpsters for garbage collection are charged a
monthly fee based on volume, just like the residents. The fee is based on the number of times per week or number of
times per day garbage is collected, as well as the size of the dumpster.
·
Smaller businesses are charged a flat monthly fee based on the number of times per week
or per day they have garbage collected.
In addition, they are required to use special 38 gallon Athens-Clarke
County bags at a cost of $1 per bag for their garbage. The bag can hold approximately 40 pounds of
garbage. Businesses are limited to a
maximum of ten bags per pickup.
Recycling for all three
programs is free. For small businesses
recyclables can be placed in clear bags and placed alongside Athens-Clarke
County bags for pickup. All recovered
materials go to the Athens-Clarke County Materials Recycling Facility for
sorting, processing and marketing. The
overall program is set up as an enterprise fund so the cost of collection,
disposal and recycling are covered by the fees charged to the customers. Education is key to the success of this
program. Athens-Clarke County began
public education efforts one year prior to implementing the program. They spent approximately $129,000 (about 6%
of their total solid waste budget) on education programs related to the new
volume-based program for fiscal year 1994.
The education budget remained the same in fiscal year 1995, the year the
program was executed. Currently, for
fiscal year 1999, Athens-Clarke County has an education budget of $175,000
(about 7% of their total solid waste budget).
The education budget figures do not include any education grants the
county has been awarded. To date, the
government, residents and businesses are all pleased with the program.
Austell
(Cobb County) Population: 5,000
Contact:
Randy Bowens Households: 1,500
2716
Broad Street
Austell,
GA 30106
(770)
944-4325
FAX: (770) 944-4335
The city of Austell
implemented a volume-based program in October 1993, using Tifton/Tift County’s
program as their model. They decided to
go with the bag system, whereby only garbage placed in the special Austell bags
would be collected for disposal. 20
gallon bags cost $1.50 each and 32 gallon bags cost $2.75 each. Previously, garbage collection cost
$13/month. The bags can be purchased at
the police station, city hall, and the fire station, or the communication
office, which is open 24 hours a day. Garbage is collected once a week
curbside. Recycling was contracted out
to BFI . Residents are billed $1.60 on
their monthly water bill for this service.
The overall program is set up as an enterprise fund so the cost for
garbage collection and disposal is covered by the revenue generated by the sale
of the bags. There was some resistance
to the program at first but now people are happy with the program, especially
the elderly who are saving money over the previous system.
Decatur
(DeKalb County) Population: 18,000
Contact:
Charles Hammonds, Sanitation Department Households: 5,870
2635
Talley Street
PO
Box 220
Decatur,
GA 30031-0220
(404)
377-5571
FAX: (404) 378-4153
Email: cah4505@aol.com
·
Residents: Currently, the City of
Decatur's PAYT program is primarily a volume-based system. Single family residences are charged $150.00
per year for once per week garbage service with a back door collection. Garbage and loose trash must be in a City
approved 33 gallon blue bag, 15 gallon yellow bag, or eight gallon green bag
imprinted with the City of Decatur logo.
Bags cost residents $1.00, $0.50 and $0.30 respectively, in addition to
the yearly service charge.
·
Small Businesses: About 100 small downtown businesses that do not have space for a
regular commercial refuse container are provided 95 gallon carts. This service costs $460 per year for one 95
gallon cart emptied once per week. Each
extra cart or pickup costs an additional $460 per year.
·
Large Businesses: Regular commercial service for 230 larger sized businesses,
institutions and multi-family dwelling units costs $3.00 per cubic yard.
In August 1997, the City of
Decatur contracted with a private hauler, Dreamsan, Inc., for residential
curbside collection of a large variety of recyclables, including newspaper,
cans, glass bottles, junk mail, magazines, telephone books, PET and white milk
jugs, and corrugated cardboard. As a
result, the city collected 150 tons of recyclables in December 1997. Prior to this, they were collecting an
average of 80 tons per month.
Extensive public outreach and education programs began 12 months in advance of
the PAYT program implementation. Less
than 25 residents voiced opposition to the program. The Waste Management Advisory Board led the outreach efforts by
holding public hearings and neighborhood meetings. Residents and sanitation workers assisted in designing the type
of unit pricing program that would best service their needs. The Waste Management Advisory Board referred
to publications, such as the EPA workbook, for guidance and the program was
largely fashioned from citizen input.
Decatur
(DeKalb County) Continued
The people indicated a
strong preference for a bag system rather than a subscription can or tag
system. The residents recommended the
bag sizes and colors. Throughout the
public information and education phase, door hangers were distributed to every
single-family residence, and articles were published in the City's newsletter
and local newspaper. The City spent
about $12,00 in unbudgeted funds on public education and information.
Douglasville
(Douglas County) Population: 15,000
Contact:
Keith L. Williams, Public Services Director Households: 4,200
or
Buddy Allison, Street and Sanitation Supt.
PO
Box 219
6695
Church Street
Douglasville,
GA 30133
(770)
920-3000
FAX: (770) 920-0499
The city of Douglasville
began a recycling program with a pilot program in the two largest neighborhoods
in the city. Initially, there was a 20%
reduction in solid waste. However, over time, participation in recycling
declined and the volume of solid waste returned to the level it had been prior
to the implementation of the recycling program. As a result, the city realized it had to look at other
options. Using the city of Marietta as
their model, they implemented the Variable Rate Program in June 1995, choosing
the bag system, for the 4,200 households in the city. Residents are required to purchase special imprinted county bags
at grocery stores for their garbage: 40 gallon bags sold for $1.20 each and 20
gallon bags sold for $.70 each.
Residents are asked to put their bags in the 90 gallon garbage
container/cart that had been provided by the city. The senior citizens in the
city love the program. Residents are charged a base fee of $8 per month on
their water bill, which covers approximately 60% of the collection and disposal
costs for solid waste as well as the recycling program (the recycling program
was contracted out to BFI) . The
additional cost is covered by the revenue from the sale of the bags. As such, all collection, disposal, and
recycling costs are covered. In
addition, the city purchased a grinder for yard trimmings, which are mulched
and available free to the public. Since
they implemented the Variable Rate Program,
recycling, and mulching program, the city has reduced the amount of
solid waste going to the landfill by 38.85% per household. One piece of advice
from the city for any community interested in implementing their own program is
that public education is essential for the program to be successful.
Duluth
(Gwinnett County) Population: 16,000
Contact:
Larry Rubenstein, City Manager Households:
4,300
3578
W. Lawrenceville Street
Duluth,
GA 30136
(770)
476-3434
FAX: (770) 623-2780
The city of Duluth began a
modified form of volume-based programs in 1979 when residents were required to
purchase specially marked “City of Duluth” bags for their garbage. Residents purchase boxes of twenty 32 gallon
bags at city hall and some grocery stores for $20. Senior citizens (65 years or older with household income of less
than $25,000/year), handicapped and disabled residents with documentation proving
their status can purchase a box of bags for $10; they are limited to six boxes
per year. The city contracts with
United Waste to handle residential and commercial garbage pickup. The hauler will only collect specially
marked "City of Duluth" bags of residential garbage and residential
recycling. Recycling is provided to
residents at no extra charge since the city picks up the cost of the
program. The program is not set up as
an enterprise fund. Compost bins are also provided at no cost to residents to
encourage backyard composting.
Recycling is voluntary with the businesses. With recycling and the bag program, the city has seen a
significant decrease in the volume of solid waste being landfilled. The only complaints the city gets are from
large families; the smaller families love it.
Overall, the city is very pleased with the success of their program.
Marietta
(Cobb County) Population: 50,000
Contact:
Joann Ellers, Marietta Clean City Commission Households:11,000
PO
Box 609
Marietta,
GA 30061
(770)
794-5606
FAX: (770) 794-5505
Email: jellars@city.marietta.ga.us
In January 1994, Marietta
implemented a pilot variable rate pricing program for residential solid waste
collection with assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
Region IV. The pilot program ran for
one year and during that time, they tested two variable rate methods: bag versus can program. In the end,
the city chose the can method and implemented
a full-fledged volume-based program in March of 1995 for the 10,500 households
in the city. Residents in the city of
Marietta are given a 2”x6” orange sticker to place on an existing garbage
container, not larger than 32 gallons (60 pound limit). They are charged on a monthly basis
depending on the number of cans they have.
One can costs $12 per month, two cans cost $16, three cans cost $21, and
additional cans are an additional $5 each.
Most residents have on average two cans, but more and more are choosing
one can. Occasional additional garbage
can be placed in special bags for a fee: $5 for every three bags of garbage.
Special miscellaneous items
are picked up for a fee of $5 to $30, depending on the item. The city also offers a discount to senior
citizens who tend to generate less solid waste. Seniors are charged $10 a month for one "mini-can" (a
25 gallon garbage container). Garbage pickup is twice a week. Yard trimmings pickup is once a week. All residents are provided curbside recycling
at no extra charge. Recycling has been contracted out to BFI which picks up
once a week. BFI reports that they are
collecting on average 72 tons of container recyclables (i.e. plastic bottles,
aluminum cans, steel and tin cans), 67 tons of paper recyclables, and 212 tons
of yard trimmings each month.
Currently, the city has reduced the volume of solid waste to the
landfill by 30% and has not seen an appreciable increase in illegal
dumping. The collection, disposal and
recycling costs for this program are not fully covered by the revenue
generated. The difference is made up
through city property taxes. The city
says that public education is key to the success of the program.
Sugar
Hill (Gwinnett County) Population: 4,557
Contact:
Warren Nevad, City Manager Households:
N/A
Steven
Bailey, City Councilman
4988
West Broad Street
Sugar
Hill, GA 30518
(770)
945-6716
FAX: (770) 945-0281
The City of Sugar
Hill PAYT program began July 1997 and is similar to the city of Duluth.
Residents are required to buy garbage bags with a special Sugar Hill logo at
the grocery store. United Waste, the
contract hauler, will only pick up garbage in these special bags. The bags are sold for $1.13 each. Starting in January 1999, the price of the
bag will increase according to the Consumer Price Index. United Waste provided recycling bins at no
cost to residents. Recyclables are
donated to the Recycling Bank of Gwinnett, which is operated by Gwinnett Clean
& Beautiful. Prior to implementing the pay-as-you-throw program, residents
were billed a flat $8 per month fee for garbage pickup.
Snellville
(Gwinnett County) Population:
14,500
Contact:
Gaye Johnson Households: 5,000
100
E. Park Drive
Snellville,
GA 30278
(770)
985-3526
FAX: (770) 985-3542
The city began a
volume-based program in 1993 when they contracted with a private hauler,
Mid-American, to handle their residential curbside garbage and recycling. Residents are provided a 65 gallon garbage
container and an 18 gallon recycling bin. They are charged $34.50/quarter for
once a week pickup. If an additional
garbage container is required, an additional $16.50 per quarter is charged to
the resident. If a resident has just a
few extra bags of garbage, they are asked to notify the city ahead of time and
in turn, they city notifies the sanitation department. Otherwise, the sanitation department will
only pick up the garbage container. The
resident would then be charged an additional $2.50 per four bags of
garbage. On Wednesdays, residents can
have yard trimmings collected curbside at a charge of $2.75 (up to five bags),
$5.50 (up to ten bags), $1.00/bag (over ten bags); otherwise, they can take the
yard trimmings themselves to the city recycling center at no extra charge. At this point, most of the citizens are used
to the program and complaints are at a minimum. The city is extremely happy with the program.
Thomasville
(Thomas County) Population:18,500
Thomasville/Thomas
County Clean & Beautiful Households:
6,100
Contact:
Veon Williams
PO
Box 1540
Thomasville,
GA 31799
(912)
225-4300
FAX: (912) 227-7000
The city of Thomasville
implemented their volume-based program in the beginning of 1992. They chose the can program. Residents are given a special sticker for
one 32 gallon or less garbage can and are charged $8 per month for curbside
garbage collection. Additional cans may
be used with the acquisition of additional stickers for $5 per month. Yard trimmings can be picked up separately
for a cost of $8 per month if requested.
Recycling is available at three unstaffed drop-off sites throughout the
city. Capital Recycling, out of
Tallahassee, Florida, handles the recycling program. The overall solid
waste/recycling program is set up like an enterprise fund, so all collection,
disposal and recycling costs are covered by the revenue from the program.
Tifton:
(Tift County) Population: 14,215
Tifton/Tift
Clean Community Commission Households:
4,000
Contact:
Sherrie Sumner
The
Myron Complex
P.O.
Box 229
Tifton,
GA 31793
(912)
382-6231
FAX: (912) 386-9694
In January of 1992, the city
of Tifton implemented a volume-based garbage fee structure for the community's
4,000 households. City personnel affixed
one identification tag (3’ x 3’ decal) to each resident’s existing 32 gallon
garbage can (one can per household).
Since the program's inception, the sanitation department services only
cans with this tag. Each resident is
charged $9 per month for garbage collection.
If additional cans are needed, the resident is charged $15.00/month for
two 32 gallon containers or $21/month for three 32 gallon containers.
Additional bags of garbage are collected if they are one of the special garbage
bags used in the county program (see Tift County). All households are provided
with an 18 gallon recycling bin.
Additional recycling bins can be acquired for a one-time cost of
$5. Recyclables are collected
commingled.
Tifton:
(Tift County) Continued
Items residents can recycle
include aluminum and all other metal cans, glass, PET (#1, soda bottles) and
HDPE (#2, milk jugs) plastic, cardboard boxes and newspaper. Garbage and recyclables are collected once a
week using two separate vehicles. The collection, disposal and recycling costs
for this program are not fully covered by the revenue generated. The difference is made up by the general
fund.
West
Point (Troup County) Population:
4,249
Contact:
Joel Wood, City Manager Households:
1,200
PO
Box 487
West
Point, GA 31833
(706)
645-3522
FAX: (706) 643-8150
The city implemented a
volume-based program August 1, 1994, after a one-year publicity/education
campaign for the residents. Residents
were given a tag with a number on it for one garbage container (45 gallons),
which they provide themselves, and are charged $8 per month on their utility
bill. (This tag number is recorded in city hall in case a can is stolen). Residents can get additional tags for
additional 20 to 40 gallon cans for an additional $4 per month per can. Residents are allowed up to three cans. The city will only pick up garbage that is
inside the can with the lid firmly on.
For additional bags of garbage, stickers may be acquired from city hall
for $2.00 (any size bag). Yard
trimmings (up to five cubic yards) are picked up weekly for no charge. There is no curbside recycling pickup. Instead, they have constructed a
centralized, fenced in ”recycling park” with IGGYs to collect recyclables. A home composting demonstration site is also
at the park. The city contracted with
All American Recycling to handle the recyclables. All American maintains the park, keeps it clean, markets the
recyclables and keeps the revenue as compensation. The cost charged to the residents does not cover the
collection/disposal costs that the city is charged; the general fund is used to
cover this difference. There have been
very few complaints from the residents about the program. The next thing the city is looking into is
commercial garbage collection, which today they are doing for $10/month, with
daily pickups.
Coweta Population:
67,799
Contact:
Eva Wagner Households:21,679
22
East Broad Street
Newnan,
GA 30263
(770)
254-3785
FAX:
(770) 254-2606
Coweta County implemented
its volume-based program in October of 1993.
Residents in the county have the option of either curbside garbage
collection through franchised private haulers or to take their garbage to one
of the 16 convenience centers in the county.
If they choose the latter, they must bring their garbage in a special
“Coweta County” garbage bag which can be purchased at local Fire Departments,
the Solid Waste Department and many groceries.
Residents can purchase an eight gallon bag for $.40, a 16 gallon bag for
$.75, or a 32 gallon bag for $1.50. The
county also offers exemptions for low income or senior residents with proof of
their status, thereby allowing them to purchase 16 gallon bags for $.10
each. Recycling is free to all county
residents who bring their items to 12 of the 16 convenience centers (four
convenience centers are exclusively compactor sites and staffed by community
service workers who do not handle separation of recyclables). At each convenience center is a roll-off
container to hold all the recyclables, which when full, is taken directly to
their recycler, Newnan Salvage. The operation and maintenance of the 12
convenience centers has been contracted out to a private company. The cost to staff these sites is
approximately $300,000 per year (two sites are open 60 hours per week and the
others are open 80 hours per week, 365
days a year). At this point, the county
is almost breaking even on their costs; the difference is made up with
appropriations from the general fund.
The ultimate goal for the county with this program is for it to become
an enterprise fund. The county as a
whole is very pleased with the program.
Gordon Population:
38,000
Contact:
Natalie Bearden Gable Households:
N/A P.O. Box 580
Calhoun,
GA 30703
(706)
629-5633
FAX: (706) 629-1966
The county began their
volume-based program on January 1, 1997. They have six staffed convenience
centers for residential garbage and recyclables and collect the following for
recycling: aluminum and tin cans, newspaper, corrugated cardboard, glass, and
plastic #1-7. All recovered items must
be separated at the drop-off center. Prior to implementing their PAYT program,
residents took their garbage to the convenience centers free of charge. Now,
residents must pay for their garbage disposal.
They have three options. They
can either:
a)
take their garbage to a
convenience center where they pay by the pound at $.05 per pound. All garbage must be in bags with no limit to
the number of bags thrown away. The centers are open ten hours per day, six
days a week.
b)
take their garbage to the
landfill where they pay by the pound as well.
There is a $3 minimum and thereafter, they charge $32/ton.
c)
contract with a private
hauler to handle their garbage and/or recyclables collection.
No matter which option is
chosen, the garbage generator must now pay the cost of collection and disposal.
White goods, yard trimmings, tires and lead-acid batteries can be taken to the
landfill for recycling. All recyclables
are transported from the six convenience centers to the 15,000 square foot
material recovery facility located at the landfill, where items are baled and
stored.
Hart Population: 20,430
Contact:
Tony Moorhead Households: 5,500
PO
Box 279
Hartwell,
GA 30643
(706)
376-7333
FAX: same as telephone
The county began their
volume-based program July 1, 1995. In
establishing the program, they collected all the green boxes in the county and
set up seven staffed convenience centers for garbage and recyclables. Residents who wish to dispose of their
garbage at the site must do so in one of the specially printed county
bags. Available are 32 gallon bags which sell for $1.00 and
16 gallon bags which sell for $.50.
Recycling is free. Bags are sold
at the convenience centers and at special retailers throughout the county. The
volume-based program is available to the 5,500 households in the county. The
tipping fee in the county is $35/ton.
The cost of the bag helps to offset the cost of collection and disposal
but it does not cover the county’s total expense. The difference is made up
with a fee on the residents’ property tax, which is how it was handled
exclusively before.
Montgomery
Population: 7,500
Contact:
Danny Fountain, Public Works Director Households:
2,850
PO
Box 295
Mt.
Vernon, GA 30445
(912)
583-2363
FAX: (912) 583-2026
Previously, residents of Montgomery County took garbage to one of 102 unstaffed green box locations throughout the county. Solid waste maintenance, collection, disposal, and transport cost the county $225,000. This was paid for through property tax, and equaled about one quarter of the total property tax generated. The county wanted to find a way to lower the cost of solid waste and make the generators responsible for the cost of their own garbage.
On September 1, 1998, the county opened four collection centers, with a fifth center opening May 1, 1999. Within thirty days of opening the fifth center, the county plans to implement a price per pound program. Even though the volume-based program has operated at no cost to the resident for the first six months, the program has exceeded the county's best expectations of waste reduction and recycling.
Facility hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday from 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM. All facilities are staffed. Materials accepted free of charge are: newspaper, mixed paper, magazines, cardboard, green glass, brown glass, clear glass, plastic (except Styrofoam, plastic grocery bags and plastic wrap), tin and aluminum cans, passenger tires, batteries, used motor oil, oil filters, white goods and scrap iron, brown goods and agricultural chemical containers. The price per pound will be established to offset the total cost of waste management.
Murray Population: 26,147
Contact:
Roy Hunt Households: N/A
PO
Box 1129
Chattsworth,
GA 30705
(706)
695-0062
FAX: (706) 517-2559
Please call for more information.
Oconee Population: 25,666
Contact:
John McNally, Oconee County Clean & Beautiful Director Households:
7,300
or
Bob Thomson, County Administrator
1510
Wildcat Ridge Road
Watkinsville,
GA 30677
(706)
769-7327
FAX: same as telephone - please call before
sending fax
Email: john_ocbc@msn.com
In May of 1994, Oconee
County removed its 119 green boxes from 39 sites and set up four convenience
centers (one acre each, fenced, lighted and three are staffed with retirees who
are paid about $5.50 an hour) throughout the county. As of February 1999, Oconee County has six staffed convenience
centers. The centers are open Mon-Sat
7AM-7 PM, and Sunday 1-4 PM. The
residents are required to purchase special blue bags for their garbage: $1.50
for a 32 gallon bag and $1.00 for a 20 gallon bag. Bags can be purchased at various retail establishments (sold to
retailers for $1.40 so they make $.10 per bag) throughout county. Residents
bring garbage in blue bags and recyclables in any container they wish to the
convenience center for disposal.
Otherwise, residents can contract with one of three commercial private
haulers (United Waste, Robertson Sanitary Service, and F4) for curbside garbage
collection. Once recyclables are
collected at centers, they are transported to the closed/inert landfill where
they are baled and sold. Some
recyclables are now commingled and taken to the Athens-Clarke County Material Recovery
Facility for further processing. Since
implementing the Variable Rate Program, solid waste volume has decreased and
tipping fees have decreased from $18,000 to $6,000 per year
Oglethorpe
Contact: Jay Paul
Population: 11,100
Environmental
Code Enforcement Officer Households:
N/A
P.O.
Box 261
Lexington,
GA 30648
(706)
743-7262
FAX: (706) 743-7262
In the past, Oglethorpe
County's system for solid waste management basically consisted of roadside
dumpsters that were open to the public 24 hours a day. At these sites, there would often be an
excess of debris deposited. When the
dumpsters either filled up or overflowed, county personnel cleaned the area and
the dumpsters would be emptied. The
solid waste would then be transported to the Athens/Clarke County landfill,
where Oglethorpe County would pay for the tonnage delivered.
In September 1998, the
County realized its solid waste system was not practical. The system was costly, unsightly, and
difficult to maintain. The county
realized the need to implement a better system and began plans for a new system
that encouraged recycling and was more cost effective. On January 12,1999, the county implemented a
Pay-As-You-Throw system that mandated all residents using the county facility
for their trash disposal use a county authorized trash bag - the "Green
Bag." The green bags cost $1.50
each. The 30 gallon plastic bag,
imprinted with the Oglethorpe County logo, is made available to residents
through local retailers.
Since approval of the PAYT
program, Oglethorpe County has designated four areas within the county for
recycling and disposal of household waste.
All sites are fenced and secured and staffed by an attendant. Three of the sites are open 24 hours per week. The largest site is open 55 hours per week.
Pickens Population: 14,432
Contact:
Burley Young Households: N/A
3043
Camp Road
Jasper,
GA 30143
(706)
692-2722
FAX: (706) 692-3649
In 1991, the county built a
convenience center for residential garbage and recycling collection. Residents are charged $1 per bag of garbage
(limit of five bags) when they take it to the center and recycling is free. Residents also have the option of taking
their garbage directly to the transfer station. There, they are charged 2 1/2 cents per pound or $45 per ton for
garbage disposal. Their system is set
up as an enterprise fund, so all the costs for collection and disposal are
covered by the fees charged. There is
no publicly provided curbside pickup but there are some private haulers in the
county who provides this service.
Rockdale Population:
66,440
Contact: Chuck Boelkins, Recycling Coordinator Households: N/A
P.O.
Box 289
Conyers,
GA 30012
(770)
785-6883
FAX: (770) 922-2213
Email: chappellgroup@mindspring.com
Please call for more
information
Tift Population: 19,292
Tifton/Tift
Clean Community Commission Households:
5,500
Contact:
Sherrie Sumner
The
Myron Complex
P.O.
Box 229
Tifton,
GA 31793
(912)
382-6231
FAX: (912) 391-9955
In October of 1992, the Tift
County Commissioners converted their residential garbage collection from tax
subsidization to a “user-fee” system.
The county’s 23 dumpster sites were centralized into eight staffed
collection centers for garbage and recycling.
The county bid the operation of the sites out on a contract basis. Each site has lights, 8x12 office building,
fencing and landscaping. The hours of
operation vary by site but ranges from 30 to 80 hours per week. County residents are required to purchase a
special “Tift County” garbage bag from grocery and discount stores for
disposing of their garbage: $1.50 for a 3eight gallon bag, $.75 for a 16 gallon
bag, and $.45 for an eight gallon bag.
Each bag is a different color for easy identification. The fee for the bag includes the tipping fee
at the landfill for disposal of this amount of garbage, transportation of
garbage to landfill, operation of sites, and cost of bag. For example, for the 38 gallon bag:
$1.50=$.16 cost of bag+$.10 handling cost+ $1.24 for
collection, transportation & disposal/tipping fee.
Recycling is offered free to
residents if brought to one of the collection centers. Solid waste volume decreased significantly
since the introduction of this program and they have basically been able to
break even with their costs.
Modified
Variable Rate Based Programs
Forsyth
Contact: Nancy Smallwood Population: 64,530
110
East Main Street Households: N/A
Cummings,
GA 30040
(770)
781-2175
FAX: (770) 781-2104
Email: my3boys@mindspring.net
Forsyth County collects
garbage at the transfer station at the old landfill site. Single axle trucks and residential pick-up
trucks are accepted and pay a minimum fee of $5.00 or $30.00 per ton. Forsyth County has over thirty residential
haulers who service a curbside collection in the county. Fees range from $11 - $15 per month. Haulers then bring waste to the county
transfer station or a private landfill.
The county has two drop-off centers, which have compactors for
waste. The drop-off centers provide
recycling for free and charge $.25 per bag for residential garbage. Bags cannot exceed 32 gallons. The staffed drop-off site has two employees:
one full-time and one part-time, both of which are retirees. The money collected from the drop-off sites
is taken to a safety box at the Sheriff's Department, as the sites have been
subject to several break-ins and robberies.
Jackson Population: 33,077
Contact:
Tom Page Households: N/A
Solid
Waste Department
PO
Box 434
Jefferson,
GA 30549
(706)
367-5253
FAX:
(706) 367-2340
The county introduced a
volume-based program to their residents in the beginning of 1994. They tried
selling special “Jackson County” bags (16 gallon bags for $.75 each and 38
gallon bags for $1.50 each) but residents resisted. Prior to that, garbage
collection had been free. In response
to this resistance, the county changed the way their volume-based program was
run. Now, county residents either take
their garbage directly to the transfer station or to one of the two compactor
sites in the county. Garbage is accepted in 32 gallon
or less bags and residents are charged according to the number of bags they
bring to the site: one to five bags is $3, six to ten bags is $5, and 11-15
bags is $7. Recycling is free if brought to the compactor site. Recyclables are then taken to the transfer
station where they are placed on the tipping floor for additional sorting and
processing before marketing to vendors. The two compactor sites are fenced and
staffed and open to the public 7AM-7PM, Monday through Saturday. The sites were recently sold to WSI, a
private entity.
Lincoln Population: 7,442
Contact:
Robert Ashmore, Solid Waste Manager Households: N/A
PO
Box 340, Courthouse
Lincolnton,
GA 30817
(706)
359-7162
FAX: (706) 359-4729
In February 1995, green
boxes throughout the county were removed.
At the same time, the county instituted a garbage fee for residents of
$1.25 per bag of garbage (any size bag).
The residents were very upset by this change and as a result, the county
has seen an increase in illegal dumping and burning. However, the county offers recycling to its residents at the
transfer station at no extra cost. The
system is not set up as an enterprise fund, as of yet, since the fee does not
cover the cost to collect and dispose of the garbage.