Toledo takes hard look at garbage with contract expiring next year
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) — What will Toledo trash service look like in the future? What do people want it to look like?
That discussion begins in earnest next week as the city’s current garbage contract nears an end.
Toledo decided to get out of the garbage business in 2011. What is now Republic got a first contract and now we wait to see if they get a second.
When bulky garbage piles sit on sidewalks for multiple days, maybe even weeks, Toledo’s garbage provider, Republic Services, gets some of the ire.
“We see them all across the city. The drivers are to report those bulk set-outs; that way, we can go out and tackle them. Sometimes bulk setouts sit out for 2 weeks or more,” said Toledo City Councilman Nick Komives.
This is in part why Councilman Komives and his colleagues will hold community meetings starting Monday. They’re trying to get a feel for what community members think about Republic Services, services and what’s lacking.
“We’re looking to find out what people want for their future of their trash collection. A lot of people have reached out and said we’re really upset that you don’t have something for yard waste or we would like to see more around food waste being done,” said Komives.
When Toledo got out of the garbage business more than a decade ago, what was then Allied Waste got the contract and Allied eventually became Republic.
Their contract with the city ends next year, so the city is planning to take bids for a new contract in 2026. What we don’t know is if other companies would bid or if any company is big enough to service the entire city.
Some have even suggested splitting the city into sections and having multiple companies get contracts for different parts of the city.
Councilman Komives has even entertained the idea of the city getting back into the garbage business.
“I am not convinced, fully, that us contracting this work out is the best solution for the city. When our own city crews have eyes on the city. We have a better idea of what’s happening,” said Komives.
There is also a chance that one company could do bulk pickups and one could do residential. If you can’t make it to Monday’s garbage meeting at 6 p.m. at the Sanger branch library, one will be held every Monday this month.
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