Columbia Solid Waste to answer roll cart questions | Mid-Missouri News - KOMU 8

Columbia Solid Waste to answer roll cart questions | Mid-Missouri News | komu.com

COLUMBIA — Solid waste customers are set to have their new roll cart delivered in February ahead of a new trash collection system in Columbia beginning March 4.

Many residents, however, are wondering where they should store the roll cart in between collection days.

Roll carts can be placed at the curb no earlier than 4 p.m. the day before collection day and must be removed from the curb no later than 10 p.m. on collection day, city ordinance states.

While the ordinance does not state where the cart must be stored outside of a resident's collection day, it does say that it must be kept on private property.

To allow customers to provide feedback and ask questions to city staff, Solid Waste hosted a public meeting Thursday night at City Hall.

Not only do people want more clarification on where to store the roll carts when not in use, but many are also concerned about safety hazards.

Columbia resident Jeannette Jackson-Thompson said not only sidewalk accessibility is a concern for her, but she is also worried about moving the carts in icy conditions.

"I have real concerns about how I as an older woman, I'm not as agile, I don't have a garage, I don't have a good place to store the roll cart and I'm not sure how I am going to get up and down my drive way," Jackson-Thompson said.

Columbia Utilities spokesperson Matt Nestor said safety is the main reason why there is a city ordinance to keep the roll carts off the street and to stay on private property when not in use.

"We don't need them getting knocked into the street or anything like that," Nestor said. "Get them out of the way of mail trucks, whoever needs to be on the street. Keep them off the sidewalks for anyone who needs to walk."

Nestor said Thursday was purely an open house-style meeting for Columbia Utilities to gather people's concerns and present them to city council for further action to city ordinance.

For residents who were unable to attend the meeting, Solid Waste will accept feedback and respond to questions on its website until Sunday, Dec. 31.