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Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013 | 2:01 a.m.
In response to the letter “Stop the whining; start recycling,” please note that the Clark County residents who are “whining” about Republic Services recycling plan are not concerned about recycling, they are “whining” about several major questions and answers that are missing in this debacle. One: Republic Services is asking for a major change in its long-term contract. Why hasn’t the Clark County Commission put this contract out for bid since it is a new program that Republic is requesting? The “whining” relates to customers who don’t care what trash pickup rates are in Phoenix, as one commissioner stated as ...
Good response, and good questions!
I still prefer the new program based on our experience.
Why start asking questions now?
Did these question get asked during the Union Bosses negotiation for city workers?
Why didn't union jobs go out for bid?
What evidence is there that this is a bad deal?
All Thomas Krasky has to do is check the monthly rate charged in other cities for the same garbage service.
At my home in Texas, we've has this same two large bin poly cart system with one for trash(green colored) and one for recyclables(yellow top) for nearly 20 years. Waste management picks up once a week. The monthly trash collection fee paid is $15.22, which includes one trash and one recycling poly cart. Should a family need an extra poly cart for trash they can get one for an additional $7.50 per month. The below link shows what we can put in our recycling bin. Compare and contrast the cost and service with yours Krasky. The bin poly cart system has worked well for us. It's nice not seeing a bunch of trash bags driving down the alley on pick up day or the day prior.
http://www.wm.com/customer-service/resid...
It's a dirty job and somebody has to do it...for a profit. Thank you Republic Services. You do a yeoman's job.
CarmineD
Given Nevada's long, historical association with the mafia/mob, I state the following with some reservations:
All the "Whiner" questions, are valid questions and should be addressed. This arguement is not about quality of service by those who faithfully show up and do their jobs to keep our neighborhoods and lives maintained by their service, rather it is about being FAIR in the bidding process (for some reason, Nevada, especially Clark County, has a real problem with public utilities monopolies and the PUC simply going along with it all).
There is a pattern here, maybe the old school mafia is alive and well existing through our public utility systems(and perhaps has some sway with PUC members or their families) here in Clark County! Not unlike what is going on in Italy....just think about it.
The public is grateful for having reliable services, there is no doubt about that. But also keep in mind that small businesses are being by-passed and driven out of the competition by the way the current system handles the open market, bidding system. THAT, I think, is where we all have a problem with!
Blessings and Peace,
Star
Did the commission do any real research or was it a forgone conclusion that the easy way was the best way, at least for Republic? Why should those who have little trash pay the same as those who have a lot? It isn't because there isn't a way to do this.Thousands of communities across the country are using PAYT to manage trash in a way that is fair, economically sound, and environmentally sustainable. In communities with pay-as-you-throw programs (also known as unit pricing or variable-rate pricing), residents are charged for the collection of municipal solid waste--ordinary household trash--based on the amount they throw away. This creates a direct economic incentive to recycle more and to generate less waste. Traditionally, residents pay for waste collection through property taxes or a fixed fee, regardless of how much--or how little--trash they generate. Pay-As-You-throw (PAYT) breaks with tradition by treating trash services just like electricity, gas, and other utilities. Households pay a variable rate depending on the amount of service they use. Most communities with PAYT charge residents a fee for each bag or can of waste they generate. In a small number of communities, residents are billed based on the weight of their trash. Either way, these programs are simple and fair. The less individuals throw away, the less they pay. EPA supports this new approach to solid waste management because it encompasses three interrelated components that are key to successful programs:
1.Environmental Sustainability - Communities with programs in place have reported significant increases in recycling and reductions in waste, due primarily to the waste reduction incentive created by PAYT. Less waste and more recycling mean that fewer natural resources need to be extracted. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacture, distribution, use, and subsequent disposal of products are reduced. PAYT helps slow the buildup of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
2.Economic Sustainability - PAYT is an effective tool for communities struggling to cope with soaring municipal solid waste management expenses. Well-designed programs generate the revenues communities need to cover their solid waste costs, including the costs of such complementary programs as recycling and composting. Residents benefit, too, because they have the opportunity to take control of their trash bills.
3.Equity - One of the most important advantages of a variable-rate program may be its inherent fairness. When the cost of managing trash is hidden in taxes or charged at a flat rate, residents who recycle and prevent waste subsidize their neighbors' wastefulness. Under PAYT, residents pay only for what they throw away. This Web site http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/too... was developed as part of EPA's ongoing efforts to provide information and tools to local officials, residents, and others interested in PAYT.
More Republic handy work in Carson City AB44 excerpt as proposed. Garbage container storage -- the answer to "once per week smelly garbage pickup." You can voice your opinion at the legislative website.
http://leg.state.nv.us/Session/77th2013/...
1 Section 1. Chapter 116 of NRS is hereby amended by adding
2 thereto a new section to read as follows:
3 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, an association
4 of a planned community may not regulate or restrict the manner
5 in which containers for the collection of solid waste or recyclable
6 materials are stored on the premises of a residential unit with
7 curbside service.
8 2. An association of a planned community may adopt rules
9 that reasonably restrict the manner in which containers for the
10 collection of solid waste or recyclable materials are stored on the
11 premises of a residential unit with curbside service during the time
12 the containers are not within the collection area. The rules
13 adopted by the association must allow the unit's owner, or a tenant
14 of the unit's owner, to store containers for the collection of solid
15 waste or recyclable materials outside any building or garage on
16 the premises of the unit during the time the containers are not
17 within the collection area. The rules may provide that the
18 containers must be stored in such a manner that the containers
19 are screened from view from the street or sidewalk. The
20 Commission shall adopt regulations prescribing the specifications
21 of any device, structure or item used by a unit's owner or tenant to
22 screen containers for the collection of solid waste or recyclable
23 materials, including, without limitation, the size, location, color,
24 material and maximum cost of the device, structure or item and
25 the manner of attachment of the device, structure or item to any
26 other structure on the premises of the unit. A device, structure or
27 item used by a unit's owner or tenant to screen containers for the
28 collection of solid waste or recyclable materials must comply with
29 all applicable codes and regulations.
30 3. An association of a planned community may adopt rules
31 that reasonably restrict the conditions under which containers for
32 the collection of solid waste or recyclable materials are placed in
33 the collection area, including, without limitation:
34 (a) The boundaries of the collection area;
35 (b) The time at which the containers may be placed in the
36 collection area; and 1 (c) The length of time for which the containers may be kept in
2 the collection area.
It is unfortunate that so few people here read the newspapers. I totally agree with this letter to the editor in today's Sun. Republic Services offer to reduce my services for the sake of receiving a free 96 gallon trash can is pure rubbish! If it's not about the money then it's about the money. I recycle and I'm all for using the new 96 gallon recycling containers but not on Republic's unreasonable terms and conditions. Republic Services is gearing up for major, not good for us, long-term contract changes. Their lobbyists were very busy in 2011 making changes here in Clark County and our state legislature so we can ultimately pay more for Republic to recycle valuable materials while they further reduce our services.
Why all of a sudden is there a dustup about 96 gallon single-stream recycling? This isn't new; Republic has allowed this for years using their existing multiple bin containers. All Republic needs to do is give us that one single bin container for free and keep the existing contract in place through 2035. Not long ago they touted an increase in recycling from 3% (across the entire county) to 30 percent within the confines of their volunteer test area. Now given a single container, 30 out of 100 (Republic's recent data) will suddenly recycle! I guess Republic didn't understand this concept when they started issuing multiple recycling bins. Increasing recycling isn't as much as about the container as it is about education.
With a 30% recycling rate, Republic would make a very significant profit just from all the recycled metals they collect. Now look at their cost saving when they reduce their number of truck trips from 5 to 4 every two weeks. With the new "single stream" containers they can cut recycling pickup labor cost by half, from two people per recycling truck to one by using better automation. With all trash pickups cut from five to four every two weeks they will further reduce their truck maintenance, manpower and operating expenses by another 20 percent. They may even reduce the number of garbage truck trips to the dump. And we thought all of the "gold mining" was taking place in rural Nevada! Wrong, there is far more "gold" available to Republic by recycling our long term contract via the legislature and local government. Under their new plan, Republic benefits nine ways from Sunday while the consumer only gets short changed on their existing contract. Republic's customers will pick up the entire tab while making a greater profit year-after-year. There is no need to greatly modify the existing contract with Republic. If we are going to consider a radical change to a great long term contract that today clearly benefits us then why not bid it out? I'm sure that Waste Management, the number one trash hauler and recycler in America, has a few ideas about what to do and how to do it at a reasonable price.
While I am not overly concerned about "the numbers", it does seem reasonable that if the contract is being substatially modified that it should be put out for bids (perhaps as two separate contracts, one for recyclables and one for everything else) and have Republic compete. The lack of competition suggests an incestuous relationship between Republic & the County (at the expense of County taxpayers). Are Commissioners term-limited, and has the County offices & agencies ever been independently audited & personnel evaluated? May be time for shake-ups in DC, CC & LV!
Recipients of contributions from "Republic" part 1 of 2.
Aaron Darnell Ford 250
Aaron Darnell Ford 500
Allison Copening 2500
Andy Eisen 100
Andy Eisen 250
Anthony Ruggiero 1500
April Mastroluca 500
April Mastroluca 1000
April Mastroluca 1000
April Mastroluca 1500
Assembly Dem Caucus 2500
Assembly Repub Caucus 250
Assembly Repub Caucus 2500
ATKINSON-HORNE PAC 500
Barbara Cegavske 1000
Benjamin Yerushalmi 500
BIZPAC 2000
BIZPAC 2000
BIZPAC 5000
BIZPAC 5000
BIZPAC 8000
Bob R Coffin 2500
Bob R Coffin 2500
Bob R Coffin 2500
Bob T Beers 1500
Cedric Crear 100
Christine a Garvey 100
Clayton Kelly Hurst 100
Cresent L. Hardy 500
Cresent L. Hardy 500
David Bobzien 2000
David R Parks 1000
Dawn M Dudas 500
Debbie Smith 500
Debbie Smith 500
Deborah Kim Wallin 500
Dina Neal 500
Dina Neal 1000
Don Gustavson 500
Don Gustavson 1000
Donna Toussaint 500
Elizabeth Nicole Halseth 1000
Ellen Barre Spiegel 500
Elliot Anderson 500
Elliot Anderson 500
Elliot Anderson 1000
Gerri Schroder 1000
Greg Brower 500
Greg Brower 1000
Harvey J Munford 1000
Harvey J Munford 1000
Heidi Swank 250
Ira D Hansen 500
Ira D Hansen 500
Irene Bustamante Adams 1000
James Arnold Settelmeyer 1000
James Arnold Settelmeyer 1000
James Ohrenschall 500
James Ohrenschall 500
James Ohrenschall 1500
James William Healey 250
Jason Frierson 500
Jason Frierson 1000
Jim Wheeler 250
Jodi Stephens 500
John C Hambrick 250
John C Hambrick 500
John C Hambrick 500
John C Hambrick 1000
John C Hambrick 1000
John C Hambrick 1000
John Ellison 500
John Lee 1000
John Lee 1000
Joseph M Hogan 500
Joyce L Woodhouse 500
Joyce L Woodhouse 500
Joyce L Woodhouse 1000
Justin Jones 250
Justin Jones 500
Kelli Ross 500
Kelli Ross 1000
Kelvin Dale Atkinson 1500
Kelvin Dale Atkinson 1500
Kelvin Dale Atkinson 1500
Kenneth Charles Evans 250
L. Van Fossen Murray 4000
Lawrence L Brown 5000
Lawrence L Brown 5000
Lawrence Weekly 5000
Lawrence Weekly 5000
Lawrence Weekly 5000
Lawrence Weekly 5000
Louis De Salvio 100
Lucy Flores 500
Lucy Flores 1000
Lucy Flores 1000
Lynn Donald Stewart 1000
Lynn Donald Stewart 1000
Maggie Carlton 1000
Marcus Conklin 5000
Mari Nakashima St. Martin 250
Marilyn Dondero Loop 500
Marilyn Dondero Loop 1000
Marilyn K Kirkpatrick 1000
Marilyn K Kirkpatrick 1000
Marilyn K Kirkpatrick 1500
Marilyn K Kirkpatrick 2000
Mark A. Hutchison 500
Mark Sherwood 500
Melissa Lynn Woodbury 1000
Michael Roberson 1000
Michael Roberson 1000
Michele Fiore 250
Mike Sprinkle 250
Mike Sprinkle 500
Moises Denis 1000
Contriblutions by "Republic" part 2 of 2 for a grand total of $279,000.
Nevada Conserv League 5000
Nevada Senate Dems 2500
NLV Matters PAC 1000
Olivia Diaz 500
Pat Hickey 1000
Patricia Spearman 500
Paul Aizley 500
Paul Aizley 500
Peggy Pierce 250
Peggy Pierce 250
Peggy Pierce 500
Peggy Pierce 500
Pete Goicoechea 1000
Peter Louis Livermore 500
Randall J Kirner 500
Randall J Kirner 500
Ric Truesdell 1500
Richard "Tick" Segerblom 1000
Richard Andrew Carrillo 500
Richard Daly 250
Richard Daly 250
Richard Daly 500
Robert L. Beers 1000
Ruben Kihuen 250
Sandoval Inaug Com PAC 5000
Scott Hammond 500
Scott Hammond 500
Scott Hammond 500
Senate Repub Lead Conf 2500
Shari Buck 2500
Shari Buck 2500
Shari Buck 5000
Shari Buck 5000
Sheila Leslie 500
Steve Kirk 250
Steve Kirk 500
Steve Ross 5000
Steve Ross 5000
Steve Sisolak 5000
Steve Sisolak 5000
Steve Sisolak 5000
Steve Sisolak 5000
Steve Sisolak 10000
Steven Brooks 500
Steven Brooks 1000
Steven Brooks 1000
Sunrise Leadership Fund 1000
T. F. Benitez-Thompson 500
Tom Collins 5000
Tom Collins 5000
Tom Collins 5000
Tom Grady 500
Valerie Wiener 1000
Wade Wagner 5000
Wade Wagner 5000
Wagner Legal Defense 5000
Wagner Legal Defense 5000
Wesley Karl Duncan 500
William D Jansen 100
William Horne 1000
William Horne 1000
William Horne 1500
I give Republic services a couple hundred bucks a year and they remove thousands of pounds of trash. As far as I'm concerned it's one of the best deals going. Yard waste, old refrigerators, you name it they never say no. They have never refused to pick up anything that I've put out at the curb in nine years.
If you want something to whine about medical expenses should hit $20,000 per family this year. That is something worth whining about.
Why not just recycle at the landfill, I'm sure there are plenty of people on community service or incarcerated that could do most of the labor.
Then everything would be recycled.
County commission forgot? It is not possible, although any alternative to processing a decision is not a due to time.
Richard,
What is your premise? Is it:
1. Residential garbage pickup service should be 50% less due to fewer pickups?
2. That political contributions doubled the price charged for residential garbage pickup?
3. Are you pushing for the Pay-As-You-throw (PAYT) concept to be implemented here in Las Vegas? What keeps someone from dumping their trash into a retail dumpster/trash can or pitching their trash out into the desert somewhere to avoid a trash pickup bill?
What are you advocating Richard?
I beleive what most people are trying to say here is with Republic Service cutting their collection service time by 50 percent with fewer pickups per month.Along with more people who are now willing to recycle materials for them. Which also creates more revenue for Republic Services.Basically what's not being said here,but is a thought held in the back of consumers minds. Is don't think about raising our collection rates,now with the cuts made by Republic services which increases their bottom line.
Richard Rychtarik is not in a position to know the full cost of the two bin setup including labor. Richard does not work for Republic Services. Speculation is one thing, knowledge is quite another.