ANDERSON, Ind. —
Anderson’s Board of Public Works this week approved a contract extension with Best Way Disposal. The extension will save the City of Anderson $10,500 a month, compared to the expiring contract.
The saving is based on the fact that Best Way is now serving 2,000 fewer homes in Anderson than it did when the contract was approved in 2007.
While the reduction in homes served is a sad sign of tough economic times and the community’s shrinking population, it’s good that the city is seeking savings when services provided by a private company are reduced.
It would make sense in such cases for the city to write into contract language specific intervals for service levels to be reviewed and costs to be adjusted, perhaps annually.
It would also be good for cost savings to be passed along to the consumer, who pays about $11 a month on average for trash collection, but the savings will be kept by the city to defray its costs.
The city should continue to seek a more cost-efficient program for trash disposal and recycling. About 10-18 percent of trash collected in Anderson is recycled. A realistic goal is a system that would recycle at least 30-35 percent, according to Greg Graham, chairman of the city’s Board of Public Works.
Despite the savings of the contract extension, trash collection is still a huge expense. In Anderson, it will cost $4.1 million over the course of the 18-month extension.
Many municipalities have discovered that they can do trash collection in-house at less expense than contracting with private companies. This also gives the community greater control over recycling, which is both a moral and financial imperative. However, the start-up expense of such a program — for trucks, personnel and other considerations — can be prohibitive.
The recycling industry has evolved to the point that it can help support a trash pickup program by reaping revenue for all sorts of materials, from plastics to carpet. A higher level of promotion and public education about the benefits and ease of recycling is needed locally.
For about a year, a local task force made up of city officials and local activists has been studying alternatives to the community’s current solid-waste program. When considering the findings of the task force, the Board of Works should first keep in mind cost and convenience for consumers, with a close-eye on best environmental management practices.
For now, the reduction in trash collection costs is a good step. But the long-term solution should bring Anderson to the fore of solid waste management and recycling.
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Editorial: Trash cost savings good step, but long-term solution needed
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