City enters agreement with new refuse disposal service
At the Wednesday meeting of the Independence City Commission (rescheduled from the usual Thursday due to Neewollah activities), commissioners approved an agreement with a new waste disposal service, Green Environmental Services, for future trash disposal services at its new waste transfer station under construction northeast of Cherryvale.
While the transfer station is under construction, the City will continue to work with its current provider, Republic Services, for waste disposal at the existing landfill south of Cherryvale.
City Engineer John Garris explained it was necessary to secure a new disposal company, as Republic did not submit a bid this year for renewal of services.
He also explained that the new disposal agreement does not impact City sanitation/trash pickup services.
“To clarify any confusion, I would like to emphasize this new agreement with Green Environmental is for disposal services only – in other words, where all our trash goes after it is picked up from residences and businesses. City crews will continue to handle trash collection as usual.”
Garris also explained the agreement will result in an increase in sanitation costs for the City. He noted other factors have contributed to an overall increase in costs this year, including increased demand for bulky item pickups and roll-off dumpster services and more resident disposals at the City Sanitation Yard.
The City continues to evaluate options to control costs, Garris said, and while future changes in customer sanitation charges may become necessary, no rate changes are determined at this time.