Hazelwood's Trash Process to Change Tuesday

After a summer of contemplating and reviewing various options, Hazelwood City Council finally came to a decision about renewing the city's contract with Allied Waste Services.

Starting Nov. 1, a new trash and recycling contract, which city council approved at its Aug. 17 meeting, will go into effect. You may have noticed a few weeks ago when you got a note in the mail about the changes, and a few days later when Allied began delivering the automated 95-gallon trash containers to all single family Hazelwood residences the week of Oct. 10. 

There are some pros and cons to the new service contract, which aims to help promote recycling and conserve resources, the city said.

One good aspect is that your bill will go down to $14.79 per month for one day a week pickup from $17.79, but residents no longer have the option to have twice per week trash service. This was something council members gave mixed reviews on. Some initially felt unsure their constituents would appreciate the loss of service for a reduction in price, while another said some of their neighbors were already contemplating reducing to once per week trash service.

“A lot of people are going to want to go down to once a week if the prices are lowered,” Councilmember Don Ryan said at the June 1 meeting.

At that time, Tony Lamantia, Allied Waste’s manager of business development for municipal services, said only 1,794 out of 5,337 residences utilize twice weekly trash service.

“What we are trying to accomplish here is to increase the recycling amount,” Lamantia said. “If you’re recycling properly, there’s no reason once a week service isn’t proper.”

Lamantia also said Allied preferred to enter into a five-year contract with the , but also presented a three-year contract option.

With the five-year contract term, there would be a 3 percent fee increase each of the first three years. During the fourth and fifth year of the contract, there would be a 2 percent increase.

“If you look at what we’re proposing in year five you’d be at $16.34 (per month for waste service) compared to $17.79, what you’re paying presently,” Lamantia said.

The three-year contract option offered trash service, recycling and yard waste all in one price at $17.79, but council members were concerned that people who don’t require yard waste would be upset with having to pay for it as part of their trash fee.

“People are not going to want to pay for yard waste if they don’t use yard waste,” Councilmember Robert Aubuchon said. “I know my neighbors would not be happy paying for something they don’t use, and I guarantee your phone is going to ringing off the hook when people see that on their bill.”

At that time, Mayor Matthew Robinson expressed that he wasn’t too keen on the five-year contract.

“Our job is to get the best deal because it’s strictly out of the residents’ pockets,” he said.

Council ended up approving having the city manager, Edwin Carlstrom, negotiate a plan that would include a 50-percent discount on trash services for senior citizens, a lower rate and optional yard waste service.

When Carltrom presented a revised contract for recommendation at the Aug. 17 meeting, it included a 50 percent discounted rate for seniors, free containers for customers and the option of purchasing yard waste separately. It also stated that the city would be entering into a five-year agreement with Allied to get the lower rate.

Council approved Carlstrom’s recommendation at that time for first reading and also approved emergency final passage of the contract to ensure notices were mailed to residents in time for the Nov. 1 change.

As part of the approved trash contract agreement, Allied will only be picking up the trash container that was recently dropped off, but if you live in an area that has a homeowner's association, there may be some variance, so it is best to reach out to your association if you are unsure.

The automated collection process uses trucks with mechanical arms that lift the containers and deposit the contents (trash or recycling material) into a compacting truck, according to the City of Hazelwood's website, which also states that it's important to place both of your carts, trash and recycling, at curb side before 6 a.m. on pickup day. 

According to Lamantia, the containers have to be placed at least 1 foot from the curb or edge of street, and make sure all containers are at least 3 feet from all other objects.

Just to recap, here are a few things to note about the new contract:

• There is no longer a twice a week options for trash service. Trash will now be picked up on Thursday only.
• Yard waste will be collected on Wednesday.
• If you're currently renting a cart from Allied for trash, you will no longer receive a bill for it.  
• Continue to use your current recycling cart for recyclable materials. If you find that your existing recycling container isn't meeting your needs, you can request a larger size automated recycling container for free by contacting Allied's Customer Service at 636-947-5959.
• Rental fees will still apply for yard waste carts. As with trash and recycling, yard waste is placed at curb side by 6 a.m. on pick-up day.
• As of Tuesday, your trash bill will reduce to $14.79 per month. Additional fees apply for yard waste.
• There is a senior citizen rate of $7.74 per month for residents 62 years and older. This rate also applies to persons with diabilities. Contact to enroll, 314-839-3700.

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