Saturday, April 20, 2024

Updated: Temporary Changes to Yard Waste and Brush Disposal Services due to COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 situation, Republic Services implemented temporary changes, effective March 19, 2020, to solid waste services. Republic Services is in the process of adjusting their workforce and truck availability which will allow them to resume collection of brush and bulky materials, although on a scaled back schedule. Beginning April 8, 2020, Republic Services will begin collecting brush and yard waste on Wednesdays only until further notice.

Curbside Brush and Yard Waste Collection

During this temporary period, brush and yard waste will only be collected on Wednesdays and NOT on any residents’ regular collection days. This includes all yard waste — bagged or loose. Republic Services is asking all residents to place yard waste out only on Wednesdays and to clearly separate yard waste from regular household trash.

“Currently Republic is reporting that residential trash volumes are up by 40 percent,” said Lauren LaNeave, Assistant to the City Manager. “We understand the inconvenience this causes and would like to thank our residents for their patience and understanding while the crews work diligently to collect the additional curbside trash generated with so many families practicing social distancing at home.”

Republic can ensure the collection of normal household waste that poses a health risk to residents by temporarily removing bulk, brush and yard waste from the waste stream on regular collection days.

Residents are also asked to be mindful of the amount of material that is being placed at the curb during this time. When possible, consider mowing grass clippings back into the yard for beneficial nitrogen, conduct only essential landscaping and maintenance or composting organic material.

During this modified collection schedule, existing brush and yard waste parameters are still in effect. Residents are asked to continue to bundle brush and tree trimmings in lengths of no more than four feet and no more than fifty pounds. Residents are asked to place no more than two cubic yards out per Wednesday for collection while Republic works to collect the large volume that has built up during this time.

Bagging Household Trash

As a reminder, all regular household trash must be secured in plastic bags (not in boxes or other unsecured receptacles) before being placed in trash cans for collection, due to the potential risk to waste collection crews. Please make sure the bags are secured tightly to prevent the scattering of waste and that no materials are loose in trash cans.

Ensuring that material is secured tightly in plastic bags will reduce potential exposure to the collection crews. This does not apply to recycling. Please continue to place your recycle materials loosely in your recycling carts.

Trash and recycling remains on a regular collection schedule at this time. The City of Southlake is working closely with Republic Services to monitor collection volumes, routes and the health and safety of the collection crews daily and will communicate any further changes.

For any questions regarding trash and recycling, please visit: CityofSouthlake.com/TrashandRecycling or contact us here.

New Trash and Recycling Rates take effect October 1st

On October 1, 2016, the new rates with Republic Waste Services will take effect.

The new rates—reflected on water bills for residential customers, will increase by 1.02% for all customers.  This increase is consistent with the contract agreement the City has with Republic Services.

The breakdown for a residential consumer is $9.60 per month for trash service, $3.84 per month for recycling service and $1.11 for tax.  This represents a total increase of $0.15 for residential customers for a total rate per month of $14.55. Commercial customer rates will also be adjusted to account for the 1.02% increase based on their contract.

This new rates includes trash collection two times per week, automated recycling collection once each week, bagged grass collection, scheduled curbside leaf recycling, two household hazardous waste collection events per year, bulk collections, and bundled brush collections.

As Southlake’s trash and recycling provider since 2007, Republic Services has provided the City with quality service and maintains a 96% satisfaction rate for trash services and 90% satisfaction rate for recycling services per the 2015 Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

If you want to know more about the services Republic Services offers to Southlake residents, please visit www.CityofSouthlake.com/TrashandRecycling. To contact Republic Services Customer Service please call 817-317-2424.

If you have questions about the fee increase or the City’s contract, please call the City at 817-748-8400.

New Trash and Recycling Contract Takes Effect October 1

New automated recycling trucks in Republic's fleet.

On October 1, 2013, the new waste collection contract with Republic Waste Services will take effect. New service changes include enhanced recycling services that not only increase the ease and efficiency of the existing recycling program, but give residents more opportunities to recycle.

Throughout the month of September, Republic delivered new 95-gallon carts to all Southlake residents. These carts are for recycling only and will be used with Republic’s new fleet of energy-efficient trucks equipped with robotic arms to more efficiently collect recycling. Beginning October 1, Republic will only collect recycling from the new carts. Residents should place the new carts with the wheels to the curb and front facing the street, at least three feet from mailboxes or fences, and five feet from vehicles by 7a.m. on their recycling day. This will ensure that the trucks will be able to safely pick up the carts and that cart lids will open and close properly, preventing debris or collection of rain.

Assistant to the City Manager, Caroline Eckel reminds everyone, “Residents are free to keep their smaller bins if they choose and use them inside their homes. However, if they prefer to dispose of them, they can just place them inside the new carts, and Republic will pick them up.”

Eckel, who is also the City’s liaison to Republic adds that the use of the new carts and this transition to automated recycling is a response to requests the City received from previous citizen satisfaction surveys and community members who have expressed an interest in larger recycling containers. While many residents enjoy the flexibility that the 95 gallon cart provides, for some the carts are too large for their individual needs. For those residents, the City does have an option available for a smaller 65 gallon cart. To request the smaller cart, residents can contact the City’s main phone line at 817-748-8400.

The rate adjustment is also scheduled to take place October 1, 2013. As part of the new contract, the rate—reflected on water bills, will increase by $1.38 per month, from $12.85 to $14.23. This new rate includes trash collection two times per week, automated recycling collection once each week, bagged grass collection, curbside leaf recycling, a household hazardous waste collection events, bulk collection, and bundled brush collection.

For more information about the City’s Garbage and Recycling services, please visit www.CityofSouthlake.com/GarbageandRecycling.

Enhanced Recycling Opportunities coming to Southlake Oct. 1

This fall the City of Southlake will introduce enhanced recycling services through Republic Waste Services. Many of the changes include additions and improvements that not only increase the ease and efficiency of the current recycling program, but give residents more opportunities to recycle.

In March of 2007, the City of Southlake entered into a contract with Republic Waste Services of Texas for all residential and commercial refuse collection. This contract included a performance measure requiring an 85% level of resident service satisfaction. In the years since, Republic has maintained a satisfaction rate significantly above 85%, reaching 97% in 2011 according to the most recent Citizen Survey.

“Due to the high satisfaction levels and the long term successful relationship the City has had with Republic, City Council voted to enhance and extend the contract with Republic Waste Services,” said Caroline Eckel, Assistant to the City Manager. “There is also an option for another five years if things continue to go well.”

The current monthly rate is $12.85. To provide residents with the enhanced service opportunities detailed below, the monthly rate will increase to $14.23. This new rate includes trash collection two times per week, bagged grass collection, curbside leaf recycling, a household hazardous waste collection event, bulk collection, bundled brush collection, and automated recycling collection once each week.

The automated recycling collection system is new to residential collection in Southlake. Republic Waste Services has a new fleet of trucks with robotic arms attached to more efficiently collect recycling. This new system allows for the use of large cart receptacles with wheels which will be provided to residents free of cost.

With the increased success of the curbside leaf recycling program hosted by Keep Southlake Beautiful, it has become a permanent service enhancement provided by Republic Waste Services. During the program’s pilot period, Southlake residents have bagged and recycled close to 550 tons of leaves. Its success has helped provide local landscapes with necessary organic matter and nutrients.

The rate changes are scheduled to take place October 1, 2013. Starting in mid-September, Duncan Disposal will start delivering the new recycle carts and pick up the old ones. “Residents are free to keep their smaller bins if they choose and use them inside their homes,” said Eckel who is also the City’s liaison to Republic. “But if they want them picked up, they can just place them in the new carts and Republic will take care of the rest.”

For more information about the City’s Garbage and Recycling services, please visit www.CityofSouthlake.com/GarbageandRecycling.