City officials: Recycling pickup woes only temporary

City officials assured concerned residents at the June 16 town hall meeting that troubles picking up residents' recycling on a regular schedule are only temporary.

Environmental Services Manager Jeremy Starritt said since Community Waste Disposal lost the city's residential trash and recycling service contract, they have faced a shortage of drivers as they finish out their contract that ends Aug. 1.

Starritt said the company is in the process of hiring new drivers and getting them trained to fix the problem, but while the problems continue, ensuring trash is picked up has been the primary focus and recycling is secondary.

"We do not foresee these issues continuing, especially past Aug. 1," Starritt said.

He explained that some neighborhoods are missed repeatedly and some not at all has to do with the GPS routing system used by CWD—not because a neighborhood is older or outdated.

The switch to new recycling and trash carts—being performed by a third party—is on schedule and has nothing to do with the delays, Starritt said.

Progressive Waste Solutions, the new company hired to handle trash and recycling, will officially take over on Aug. 1. Trash and recycling days will not change for residents.

Residents will be able to recycle two new items—plastic grocery bags and containers with a waxy coating, such as milk or orange juice containers.