City switches to higher-volume bins, increases service charge

On April 1, the City of Lakeway began a new single-stream recycling program intended to satisfy residents' increasing needs for the service.

During late March, Progressive Waste Solutions, Lakeway's trash service provider, replaced residents' open recycling bins with larger, wheeled carts. The new program allows for recycling the same type of materials as in the old program but replaces the smaller 18-gallon bins with 65-gallon containers with lids so paper can stay dry for recycling on rainy days.

"We've essentially had single stream-recycling for quite a while," Lakeway City Manager Steve Jones said of the new program. "The real limiting factor has been the small bin."

The switch to the new higher-volume recycling program required the city to purchase the larger carts and new garbage trucks to accommodate the carts. Some of these costs were passed on to customers in the form of an increase in their service rates. Previously, customers were charged approximately $17.50 per month or $52.50 per quarter for trash pickup. Under the new program, residents pay $18 per month or $54 per quarter for the service. The City of Lakeway is subsidizing a portion of the increased fees, about 20 cents per month of the actual 50 cent rate increase for each customer. Residents can opt out of the new program but will continue to be charged the higher rate.

In 2011, Lakeway conducted a survey of its citizens concerning their refuse needs. Jones said that more than "70 percent of the responses were in favor of the larger containers and single-stream recycling."

Based on other communities, Progressive anticipates a 25 percent or greater increase in the volume of recycled materials once the program is under way, Jones said.

Residents will continue to use the 95-gallon carts for general garbage.