Trash talk

Its budget pinched, Columbus considers charging to pick up the garbage

Monday,  December 1, 2008 3:12 AM

By Robert Vitale

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Between your wastebasket and the landfill stands a $50 million-a-year operation that Columbus officials say is getting increasingly difficult to pay for.

 

Once again, they're thinking about charging city residents for garbage pickup, an idea that has come and gone through decades of economic cycles. This time, though, the likelihood has risen as the gap has grown between what Columbus collects in taxes and fees and what it must spend to maintain city services.

 

 

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/12/01/copy/trashfee.ART_ART_12-01-08_A4_TTC3CLD.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

I really don't see what the opposition to this is (that includes Cincinnati). I'd actually think a California system might be a good idea - cap the amount that can be thrown away or charge more to throw more away.

What about a mandatory recycling program? Don't cities make money off of that? Or do they just break even? Aren't there some other less important services they can cut? I don't think the cost is a big deal, it's just annoying having another bill to pay.

I agree, though if a city is moving to a pay for service model, why not incentivize citizens to recycle?  Recycling is great for the city in that it drastically reduces tipping fees.  The Upper Arlington model seems to work well in that respect, wherein one must purchase stickers (approx $1) for each 25lb bag of non-recyclables put upon the lawn.

 

Cleveland is said to be gradually moving towards this model; emphasis on gradual.

Yeah, charge people for non-recyclables by weight. Make people think about how much stuff they throw away - and make it super easy to recycle like in Cincinnati. I couldn't believe how much of my trash was recyclables when I moved to the 'Nati and started sepearating the stuff. It's harder to recycle in Europe than in Cincinnati!

I really don't see what the opposition to this is

 

Some people don't want to pay higher taxes.

 

Other people are concerned with illegal dumping.

 

Personally, I think the pros outweigh the cons and would gladly pay for trash pickup if it meant allocating that general budget money toward other things.

Yard-waste decision may add to pollution

Environment is big loser after Columbus' action, analysis finds

Monday,  March 2, 2009 3:16 AM

By Spencer Hunt

 

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

The city's decision to cut yard-waste pickups will put more cars and trucks on the road, boost fuel use and increase air pollution in central Ohio, a Dispatch analysis found.

 

At the same time, grass clippings, leaves and twigs tossed into garbage cans will shorten the life of the Franklin County landfill.

 

Full story at:

 

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/03/02/Yardwaste.ART_ART_03-02-09_A1_2JD354C.html?sid=101