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Alpharetta trash bills going up
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Alpharetta – All good things must come to an end, and so has the city's contract with Republic Services Inc. (formerly BFI Waste Systems) as the one provider of household and yard waste removal.
New rates, which start in 90 to 120 days, will be about 20 percent higher. But there is a silver lining. Under the contract agreed to Nov. 2, the city and it's hauler have a plan for defraying some of the cost for those who participate in recycling.
Republic has been the city's sole provider of the last 10 years. The original five-year contract has been extended five times, but Republic said it can no longer provide services at the now decade-old price.
The city finds a benefit in hiring one hauler to collect all of the city's waste. First, if there is a problem, everyone knows who to call. One hauler means uniformity of service, one trip a week in every neighborhood and central billing to the city.
Republic still wants the city's business, so it had a unique plan that will "pay" residents to recycle. Republic has joined with a company called RecycleBank to offer recycling points that can be redeemed for goods and services at participating local and national businesses (www.recyclebank.com).
National partners include Coca-Cola, Ikea, Whole Foods and CVS pharmacy. Local businesses are yet to be recruited.
Rates will be firm for three years, then the contract price will be adjusted to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a 3 percent cap for years four through 10. Senior citizens' rates (65 and older) will remain at what they pay now — $8.75 a month.
Other highlights of the contract:
• Rate increases are based on the size of the cart. For a 95-gallon cart, it costs $18.23 a month, a $2.74 hike. For a 68-gallon cart, it's up to $17.05 a month, or $3.06 more.
• RecycleBank's savings are estimated at $2 per month based on a redemption rate of 25 percent.
• Recycling participation is recorded by a microchip in the recycle bin placed at the street. If the bin is out there, you're a participant. Reward redemptions are sent to participants.
• Residents will no longer be charged for "bulky" pickups such as televisions, washing machines and the other items that were listed by Republic. The charge is now part of the monthly rate, and residents need only notify Republic that a pickup is required.
• Residents who are willing to pay for 12 months service up front will receive 5 percent off. The payment is non-refundable.
• Adding the RecycleBank component for recycling qualifies as a "unique service," and thereby exempts the contract from going out to bid.
City and Republic experts agreed that bidding out the contract was going to raise the cost of service after 10 years.
Tags: Alpharetta
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