Beginning in February, the city will implement a new solid waste and recycling collection system for all city residents and businesses.
“The goal is to simplify the system and to reduce the amount of time that our trucks are on the streets in any given part of town,” said Transportation and Environmental Services director Richard Baier. “Also, we believe that this will save us money even though we are expanding our recycling service.”
Collection of solid waste is scheduled on specific days for specific areas of the city. “If you go to the city Web site and type in your address, it will tell you exactly when your trash and recycling will be collected,” Baier said. “We have gone to a different system of planning these routes so that they are more efficient.”
Recycling will still be collected but will be expanded to include white paper and flattened cardboard. Currently, residents must take these items to the city’s recycling center.
The city will continue to pick up large items such as refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers. “We are reserving Fridays for this purpose,” Baier said.
There will be a two-week period when the city will return to neighborhoods to collect trash if citizens forget what day their solid waste and recycling is to be collected. “By the third week, we hope they will have gotten adjusted to the new days and times,” Baier said.
For more information, go to the Web site at www.alexandriava.gov.