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Queen Creek moves to start recycling program
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Recycle, reduce, reuse.
That is what Queen Creek officials are doing in an effort to start a town-wide recycling and trash service.
The Queen Creek Town Council voted Wednesday to reuse a Chandler document that seeks waste and recycling companies to bid on curb-side recycling and trash pick-up. The town will also look at drop-off recycling locations. Deputy town manager Shane Dille said the City of Chandler had approved Queen Creek using its solid waste request document.
By using Chandler’s document, the town reduces its consulting services costs by $20,000.
The Town Council decided to move ahead with getting proposals from waste management companies after an informal town survey showed 78 percent of respondents want the town to negotiate a contract for Queen Creek because right now individual property owners and homeowner’s associations contract privately for trash pick up.
The study showed that residents outside of a homeowners association pay the most for garbage collection, about $25 a month. Some communities with homeowners associations contract with garbage collection companies for the entire community at a discount rate and pass that savings on to residents, who pay an average of $14 a month.
Residents also expressed a large interest in recycling with 39 percent of survey respondents saying they would pay extra fees for recycling.
Some residents say they drive nearly 20 miles to drop off recyclables now.
The service would be put out to bid, so exact costs aren’t known. The study estimated that startup costs would include the purchase of trash and recycling containers at about $825,000 and one employee to oversee the program at $69,800 annually. The cost of the containers could be recouped through garbage fees, the study found.
The move toward recycling is in line with the Town Council’s greening efforts in Queen Creek. In recent meetings, the council voted to extend the town’s municipal green building policy and also extend a modified work week schedule which town officials said saves energy.
After the Town Council receives proposals and reviews cost, it will vote on whether to begin the program.
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