Oak Ridge Today

City explains need for space between garbage, recycling bins at curb

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The City of Oak Ridge has explained the need for space between garbage and recycling bins at the curb under a new contract with Waste Connections, the trash collector.

New blue 95-gallon garbage cans have been dropped off at Oak Ridge homes. The city and Waste Connections have asked residents to place the carts at least five feet away from other objects such as mailboxes and cars, avoid placing them under trees and power lines, and keep garbage and recycling containers at least three feet apart.

In a short video posted by the city, the garbage cans are shown being picked up by a hydraulic arm and dumped into a Waste Connections truck.

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New garbage bins dropped off at homes

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New garbage bins are being dropped off at Oak Ridge homes. The deliveries began Monday, June 21. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

New garbage bins are being dropped off at Oak Ridge homes. The deliveries began Monday, June 21.

The blue bins should be used for your household garbage and brought to the curb on your scheduled pickup date starting in July, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

The new, 95-gallon trash bins will eliminate the need for residents to purchase multiple 32-gallon bins to accommodate household waste, the press release said.

Many residents already participate in the recycle program and have previously been provided a brown cart that is taken to the curb. This service has not changed, but if you do not already own a brown recycle cart, one will be provided to you upon request, the press release said.

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Garbage has to be brought to curb starting July 1

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The Waste Connections Convenience Center is pictured on Warehouse Road in east Oak Ridge on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was last updated at 6:30 p.m.

With limited exceptions, garbage cans in Oak Ridge will have to be brought to the curb for the weekly pickup starting July 1, and there will be a $1.20 monthly fee increase for the waste disposal service.

The city’s previous 25-year contract is expiring, and the new contract will start July 1.

Unlike many cities, Oak Ridge has had a “backdoor pickup” garbage service for years, but that is ending. With that back door service, garbage would be picked up away from the curb—at a back door, for example.

Under the new contract, people with qualifying disabilities will still be eligible for backdoor garbage and recycling services. (More information is included below.)

As part of the contract change to curbside pickup, new large 95-gallon trash bins will be provided at no cost, a press release said.

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County asks you to bring only household garbage to convenience centers, landfill

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The convenience center on Warehouse Road in east Oak Ridge is pictured above on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Anderson County is asking you to bring only household garbage to convenience centers and the Chestnut Ridge landfill for now as the volume of waste increases while more people are staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The request comes as the stay-at-home order issued by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Thursday, April 2, remains in effect through at least Tuesday, April 14.

In a press release, Geoff Trabalka, supervisor of Anderson County Solid Waste Management, said many residents have extra time because of the stay-at-home order, and some are trying to make the most of that extra time by cleaning homes, making repairs, and working in yards, among other activities.

“All of these activities produce a large quantity of added material to the waste stream,” the press release said. “In the last two weeks, Anderson County has seen an extreme increase in waste being brought to its convenience centers, and to the Chestnut Ridge Landfill, particularly on Saturdays. This has raised the volume of garbage being hauled to 1.5 to 2 times the normal volume. Yard waste and bulk waste items like furniture and appliances are a great portion of that increase.”

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Weather: County Commission meeting, Habitat dedication canceled

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The Anderson County Commission meeting that had been rescheduled for tonight has been canceled due to the weather. It will not be rescheduled again, but will instead be combined with the regular meeting in March.

The Myrick Build Dedication that had been scheduled for Saturday has been postponed. Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County said the dedication has been postponed to March 28, with the same schedule of events.

Meanwhile, the City of Oak Ridge announced that Waste Connections will begin Wednesday’s routes today (Thursday, February 26) on main roads that are clear, and then go to secondary streets to pick up garbage and recyclables as the day progresses. [Read more…]

Highland View spring cleanup on Saturday

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The Highland View Neighborhood Watch will have a spring cleanup on Saturday morning. It’s scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, and volunteers can sign in at the Oak Ridge Children’s Museum.

“Join us as we work toward making our neighborhood something to be proud of,” a flyer said. “From Highland Avenue to Illinois and side streets, we’re conquering the accumulated trash and garbage. The more participants, the easier and faster we get to enjoy spring in our home neighborhood.”

The flyer said the goal is to eliminate garbage along West Outer. [Read more…]