An exclusive trash and recycling contract for five years is set to begin Feb. 1 when Pflugerville’s current contract expires.

The contract is with the same company, Waste Connection, doing business as Progressive Waste Solutions of Texas, and the five-year contract locks in a price to the city that is lower than the current rate.

Pflugerville City Council gave permission to Assistant City Manager Laurie Gillam and city staff to negotiate the new contract well in advance of expiration of the current deal.

Officials from Progressive Waste Solutions said the integration of one-arm trucks, including a device that lifts and empties a trash or recycling cart into the truck, saves on time and manpower costs.

The first of three readings took place Tuesday, and a final decision is expected at the Sept. 12 meeting.