Larger recycle bins; same-day service; monthly fee going up
Boerne residents will begin receiving larger recycling containers next week, as the city renewed its agreement with its trash and recycling service provider.
The pact comes with a slight increase in garbage rates residents will find on their current billing cycle.
Starting Jan. 27, WM, previously known as Waste Management, will replace the current 64-gallon recycling carts with larger 96-gallon recycling carts for all residential customers. This upgrade aims to increase recycling capacity and promote sustainability in Boerne. There’s nothing customers need to do other than put their bins by the curb on their normal recycling day. WM will collect the old 64-gallon recycling bins and replace them with the newer larger receptacle. The change-out should be completed by Feb. 7.
Another change is same-day trash and recycle pickup. The city is collaborating with WM to streamline collection schedules, aligning all residential trash and recycling services to occur on the same day. Once implemented, residents will have a single collection day between Monday and Friday.
A rate increase became effective Jan. 1. The new monthly garbage rates are: — $22.83 per month for one waste wheeler and a 96-gallon recycling cart.
— $30.70 per month for two waste wheelers and a recycling cart. These rates include applicable sales tax and encompass monthly brush and bulk item collection services.
Previously, the rates were $18.57 and $25.92, respectively.
District 5 City Councilman Dr. Joseph Macaluso Tuesday said the fees are the result of months of contract renewal with WM. The contract was up for public review and discussion during two meetings in late October and early November.
One addition to the contract sought by council was same-day trash-recycle pickup, which requires WM to bring on another truck to accomplish the dual rounds.
Also, the contract allows seniors 65 and over to apply for a 10% discount on the base monthly rate with the city, who administers the contract with WM.
Macaluso said the monthly brush and bulk pickup remains, as will WM’s on-call hazardous waste collection. Bulky items are collected curbside during the second full week of each month, with no advance request required.
“Everything’s gotten more expensive, and it’s the same with them,” Macaluso said of the WM contract negotiations. “But now, everybody will have same-day pickup, and seniors can apply for their discount.”
WM also provides doorto- truck waste collection services for residents who demonstrate a need or hardship. For details about any of these services, contact Boerne Utilities customer care and billing at 830-2499511 option 1.
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