Let’s Talk Trash

Updated Jan. 1, 2025: Readers questioned some of the data provided which resulted in further research, removal of the questionable info and we believe, a more comprehensive article.  Our readers make us better!

Shorewood leadership considered city organized trash collection in 2019. “Organized hauling” is when the city contracts with one hauler based on bids and the best service value. Results from a resident survey.¹in 2019 were shelved without public discussion. So that residents can make informed decisions, other relevant data should be factored into a public discussion.

This article is intended to educate residents on the process used for the 2019 survey, and to explain the financial implications of the open source system vs. organized waste collection.

About the survey:

• 400 households (of approximately 2800) were surveyed by telephone.
• The survey cost taxpayers $4000.
• Results were discussed with the research company in a May 2019 council work session. A representative of Randy’s Sanitation attended and spoke in opposition to organized collection.
• Before the survey, waste haulers lobbied residents to keep the open system by emphasizing that “competition drives down costs.”

The survey revealed :

• 76% of respondents wanted to choose their own waste hauler.
• 76% believed the cost was more competitive under an open collection system.
• 64% said they change haulers for a lower rate.

Facts that may affect consumer decisions:

• Fort Collins CO: Relative Impact of Refuse Vehicles, Summary, P. 4
  A single refuse vehicle can have an impact on the City’s streets equivalent to more than 1,000 automobiles.* Accelerated Road Deterioration: The lifespan of a road designed to last 20 years can be reduced by up to 5 years with the regular passage of two or three garbage trucks per week.
• Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission Local Street & Road Conditions, P. 1
  One truck trip = 9300 car trips. Garbage trucks can stress pavement anywhere from 1250-9,300 times as much as a typical SUV, leading to significant wear and tear on city streets. A bus trip exerts more than 7,000 times the stress than a typical SUV does per trip, while a garbage truck exerts more than 9,000 times as much per trip. 
  
• Roseville, MN: Road Wear, P. 1
  One garbage truck [trip] is equal to 1500 car trips  “…limiting the number of garbage trucks… to only one hauler could extend the usefulness of the street 5 to 10 years”)
• Rockville, MN Garbage Trucks Take a Toll 
  One garbage truck trip=1279 car trips
  
• Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association Load Traffic From Trash Trucks:
  A trash truck loaded to the maximum weight (48,000 pounds) can cause damage equivalent to 9,646 car trips in a single trip.
• Oskaloosa, IA, Solid Waste Recommendations, Executive Summary, P. 4 
  Reducing the number of trucks on the roads in Oskaloosa will produce a cost savings to the city of approximately $700 per truck per year (2011 dollars).  
• The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) (2009),
  Overview, P.1
  Analysis revealed that organized collection systems consistently result in lower overall costs to consumers.
  Road Wear, P. 1
  Roseville engineering staff believe the city’s streets would last an estimated five to ten years longer if garbage truck traffic was limited.

  *Statistics are disputed by HaulersforChoice.com

Changes since the 2019 Shorewood survey:

• Rates have increased exponentially, along with additional fees including cart deposits, disposal taxes and cart pick-up fees when canceling service.
• Between the administration of the survey (Feb. 2019) and Nov. 1, 2024, 788 properties** (26%) were sold in Shorewood. This could imply a change in demographics and attitude.
  **Source: NorthStar MLS, Nov. 2024
  
• The experience of HOAs using a single hauler (Country Club and Boulder Bridge) could be used as reference points for customer experience and satisfaction.

Other considerations:

• Services that can be customized to cart size, pick-up frequency or including organics may increase support.
• According to data from In the Public Interest, Introduction, P. 1
  approximately 78% of municipalities in the United States contract with private companies to outsource waste hauling.

Turnover of residents and economics may have changed attitudes toward contracted services in the six years since the survey was taken. Data is available for the financial impact of heavy trucks on public roadway and infrastructure.

An organization that takes issues with the data collected in these studies is HaulersForChoice.com which appears to be a lobbying organization representing trash haulers.  

SCA Opinion: City leaders are challenged to have an open, informational conversation with residents about the pros and cons of each choice, and consider their opinions before making an informed choice. 

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1. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency report
2. 2019 Shorewood Survey
3. https://www.hopkinsmn.com/339/Recycling-Garbage-Rates
4. https://www.stlouisparkmn.gov/services/garbage-recycling/collection-rates-fees
5. https://cityofdeephaven.org/recycling-refuse/
6. https://www.cityoftonkabay.net/garbagerecycling
7. https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/news/government-contracts-waste-recycling/
8. Mounds View public process and committee work
9. https://www.startribune.com/hire-your-own-trash-pickup-or-let-the-city-do-it-voters-will-decide-in-two-twin-cities-suburbs/601173090?utm_source=gift