Editorial: A proposal that stinks

Tuesday, April 19, 2005 | 9:07 a.m.

Republic Services of Southern Nevada, a private company that has a government-approved monopoly to collect garbage in the Las Vegas Valley until 2035, is considering a major change to its service. Instead of picking up a customer's garbage twice a week, as is now the case, the company wants to reduce its service by picking up garbage just once a week. In exchange for this reduction in service, Republic Services says it will pick up recyclables -- newspapers, plastic and glass objects -- once a week instead of once every two weeks as it does now. Republic Services hopes it will gain approval from the Clark County Commission to initiate this policy first through a pilot project, finding a homeowners association or a neighborhood willing to volunteer.

The company is trying to make it sound as if this new approach really isn't a reduction in service. But the fact is that this is a reduction in garbage collection, pure and simple. It also should be noted that while customer service would take a hit under the plan, the company would stand to profit from reduced labor and transportation costs. For example, during a typical two-week span under Republic Service's proposal, the company would make four pickups (two garbage and two recycling) instead of the current five pickups (four garbage and one recycling) -- producing significant savings for the company.

Republic Services wants to throw in, as a sweetener, free 95-gallon carts -- one each for garbage and recycling -- but that isn't about to make up for the inconvenience. The 95-gallon carts in many cases will have to be stored outside alongside garages or on side yards. This not only is unsightly, but the extra-large, much heavier carts also make it difficult to wheel them across turf and rocks on side yards as they are taken to the sidewalk for pickup. And with summer fast approaching, we can't imagine what the stench will be like with only weekly pickup when it hits 90 degrees -- and goes up from there. Adding to the mess will be cats and birds that will be drawn to the odors from oversized garbage carts.

We've been a staunch advocate for recycling, and always have been dismayed in the past that neither local governments nor Republic Services has been aggressive enough in encouraging its use. But we aren't convinced that Republic Services now, suddenly, has become a passionate supporter of this cause. Indeed, based on its past track record of indifference to recycling, we see the likelihood that, after some time has passed, Republic Services will return to local government officials and say that there just isn't enough appetite for recycling, and then ask to return to recycling pickup just once every two weeks.

We were told several years ago that one of the reasons why local governments granted Republic Services the long-term monopoly it received was because of its great customer service -- twice-a-week collection, pickup on all holidays, collection of any and all items, no matter how large. Republic Services should not be allowed to reduce its service to Southern Nevadans, then, unless its contracts with Clark County, Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas are reopened to permit competitive bidding. That would be one way of determining whether we are getting the best price and the best service.