How much will it cost you?
Garbage fees will be based upon the size of the garbage cart selected and charged to the residence's quarterly water bill:
• 35-gallon trash carts will be $7.50 per month, or $22.50 per quarter.
• 65-gallon trash carts will be $8.50 per month, or $25.50 per quarter.
• 95-gallon trash carts will be $9.50 per month, or $28.50 per quarter.
There is no additional charge for the recycling cart.
The carts range from 37 to 46 inches tall. A 35-gallon cart will hold about three or four kitchen-sized (13-gallon) trash bags.
All trash must be placed inside the trash cart. Extra bags of trash placed outside the cart will not be picked up unless they have an extra bag sticker purchased from city hall. If extra bags are being placed outside of cart continuously, a larger cart will be required. Residents will get a 60-day trial period in which carts may be exchanged at no cost. Following the trial period, there will be a fee to exchange carts.
Homeowners will receive a new set of trash and recycling collection carts in June or July, but they have only until Feb. 1 to order the sizes they need.
The city's new collection system beginning in mid-summer will use automated trucks that will pick up only these carts.
By city ordinance, all persons living in one- or two-family housing structures must have their garbage collected by employees of the city.
Carts are available in 35-, 65- and 95-gallon sizes. The city recently sent out postcards for ordering carts, which should be completed and returned no later than Feb. 1. Households will receive 65-gallon carts if no order for a different size is received. Residents can view the new carts at city hall, Behring Senior Center and Piggly Wiggly.
A resident may also order a trash cart and a recycling cart in different sizes, according to Tom Boll, supervisor of the city's street and sanitation department.
The city collects trash once a week and recycling every two weeks.
The city encourages residents to get the largest recycling cart possible, because all recyclables - cardboard, paper, newspapers, magazines, glass, plastic containers and aluminum/tin/steel cans - go into the recycling cart.
When determining which trash cart to order, Boll recommended choosing a size based on the highest anticipated volume in any one week, and remembering more trash accumulates during the summer and holidays. Also, choose a cart size to fit its storage area. The 95-gallon carts typically fits in a garage if turned sideways.
Residents will get a 60-day trial period in which carts may be exchanged at no cost. Following the trial period, there will be a fee to exchange carts.
Directions on how to use the new carts and detailed information about recycling will be delivered inside the recycling cart upon delivery.
More information about the new automated collection system and carts, along with other trash and recycling information, is available on the city's website - www.cityofmonroe.org - under Departments, at Streets and Sanitation. Residents may also call the Streets and Sanitation Department at 608-329-2490.