WASTE MANAGEMENT TO BEGIN CITY GARBAGE CONTRACT AUGUST 2, 2021
Change to Curbside Trash Collection For City of Thomson Residents
Beginning Monday, August 2nd Waste Management, a nationally known waste disposal and recycling company, will take over garbage collection for all customers in Thomson, residential and commercial alike.
There will be no change in garbage fees for residential customers and most commercial customers will also see no change in their garbage bill. All commercial customers whose prices will increase will receive a letter explaining any increased fees.
The City of Thomson will retain control of garbage collection. Customers’ bills will still be generated at city hall with garbage being part of monthly utility bills, all questions and issues about garbage collection - to include complaints about service, getting a can replaced, or missed garbage pickup - will still go to the Utility Billing Department at the government complex. The only change most customers will see is who empties their garbage can.
As mentioned, some select commercial and industrial customers may see an increase to their bill depending on the size of their container(s) and frequency of garbage pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Why is Thomson changing the way it collects city garbage?
Costs of maintaining a fleet of garbage trucks, residential carts, and commercial dumpsters and roll off containers continues to increase. In order to keep prices low and continue to provide reliable service for our citizens we determined using a third-party service was the most effective solution. Plus, the same City department that collects curbside trash also collects yard waste and rough trash (furniture, etc.). Over time we have had a difficult time keeping up with yard waste and rough trash collection.
Having Waste Management provide curbside garbage collection services allows City employees to focus on yard waste and rough trash collection as well as assist the Streets Department in maintaining the rights of way and stormwater ditches.
• Will my trash bill go up?
If you are a Residential Customer, no. No residential customers will see an increase to their garbage bill. Some commercial or industrial customers will see an increase, but only if Waste Management charges more than the City. The City used a competitive bid process, requesting proposals from multiple waste disposal companies. After a thorough analysis of company capabilities, reputation, and price point the City selected Waste Management, a company with a national reputation who was also the lowest bidder.
• Who do I call if I need a new trash cart or if my trash was missed?
All customers will continue to contact the Utility Billing Department at the government center for any and all garbage billing or service issues.
• Will I get a separate bill from Waste Management?
No. All garbage bills will remain a part of the customer’s monthly utility bill. There will be no change to garbage billing.
• Will I put my trash can out the same day of the week?
Yes. At this time there is no plan to change the garbage collection schedule. Over time if Waste Management determines it can collect Thomson’s garbage more efficiently it may make select changes but customers will be notified well in advance of their new day.
• Will my trash be picked up at the same time of the day?
Probably not. It will take a few weeks for Waste Management to get used to the routes and so it may take them longer to complete garbage collection routes when they first start. However, Waste Management will begin collection earlier in the morning than the City so customers need to get their trash cans to the curb the night before or first thing the next morning.
In order to avoid customers getting missed we ask that all customers please put out their trash can the night before their scheduled pick up day or no later than 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection day. We do not want customers missed because they put out their garbage after the trucks have already serviced their streets.
Please remember that a new garbage collection service may do things a bit differently. For example, Waste Management may pick up only one side of the street during their first pass through a neighborhood and return for the other side later in the day. Therefore, if your neighbor across the street has had their garbage collected and yours is still awaiting pick up. that does not necessarily mean you have been missed. The way Waste Management plans its routes will be different than the City’s.
Waste Management will keep to the same day of pick up but may alter the time of pick up.
• I am disabled and have ‘backdoor service’ where a solid waste employee gets my can, empties it, and returns it to my door, is that service continuing?
Yes. Waste Management will continue this service. The City has provided a list of customers who have this service so that it may continue.
• What about yard waste, will that still be picked up?
Yes. City employees will continue to collect residents’ grass clipping, leaves, and so on. In fact, since Waste Management will collect household garbage City employees will be able to focus more on yard waste and rough trash (furniture, etc.) collection, thereby improving responsiveness and overall level of service
