Lansing homeowners may lose the choice of who’s picking up their trash
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) — The Lansing City Council proposed a new ordinance that would block private waste management companies and make the city the sole provider for waste removal.
The city says its goal is to streamline waste services, making it easier to manage and more convenient for homeowners.
“Trash, recycling, yard waste, you would call the city for all of that for residential units,” said the City of Lansing Public Service Director, Andy Kilpatrick. “The [other benefits are] carts would be out just one day a week on a street; there would only be one trash truck going down your street. It should be more cost-effective for everyone.”
Granger Waste Services has been around for over 59 years and serves 40 communities.
“More than half the city chooses other [waste management] services,” said Keith Granger, CEO of Granger Waste Services. “And, if this ordinance is approved by the city council, it would remove us from being able to collect waste from our residents.
Debby Bates is a homeowner in Lansing and has been using Granger for years. She says she has no plans of changing companies anytime soon.
“I don’t want to switch. Granger is my choice, and I’ve been very happy with them,” said Debby Bates.
She says her biggest issue with the proposal is losing the right to choose.
“I don’t know who benefits from this,” said Bates. “I don’t know if this proposal will go anywhere. I just don’t like it. I don’t like losing my freedom of choice.”
Granger says the proposal is not only hurting homeowners, but companies that are dedicated to the city.
“For us to potentially lose what we have taken decades to build doesn’t sit right with us,” Granger said.
Kilpatrick emphasized he understands how this could hurt privately owned companies, but thinks this plan is in the best interest of residents.
If you live in Lansing and have any questions or concerns, you can reach out to the city council or attend the next Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 4:00 pm.
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