Monday, Aug. 20, 2007 | 7:10 a.m.
The proposed trial run for garbage pickup and recycling fails to address a number of concerns.
The use of large garbage and recyclable containers will prove difficult for many seniors who typically require a small bag for their garbage. Recycling by seniors requiring the use of large containers in place of the current small bins will result in a net reduction in the amount of recycling.
Pickup will be limited to what can fit inside the containers, different from the current unlimited pickup, including large items such as hot water heaters and tree prunings. Other cities that use this container system also have a third biodegradable container for yard cuttings. One nice thing about Las Vegas is not seeing garbage dumped at the side of the road, which will occur with limited pickup.
The reduction to one garbage pickup per week with a single driver operating the mechanical pickup arm results in a 75 percent labor savings from the current two-man trucks twice a week. If Republic Services would offer to share some of the cost savings with the consumer, the plan might be more acceptable.
Henry Schmid, Las Vegas
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