Sharpsburg residents will see their garbage bills decrease next year as the borough recently approved a five-year contract with a new hauler.
Council voted 6-0 on May 28 to award an estimated $2.575 million contract to Belle Vernon-based County Hauling. Councilman David Breingan was absent.
The current contract with Waste Management expires at the end of this year.
The new deal with County Hauling runs from January through the end of 2031.
“We are thrilled that we had multiple proposals submitted for this garbage and recycling contract, as it resulted in a 20% reduction in costs for residents while allowing residents to throw out more garbage and to have weekly bulk pickup,” borough Manager Christine DeRunk said.
The current garbage collection cost is about $39 per month and is included with the Hampton-Shaler Water Authority bills. HSWA remits the payments to the borough, which then pays the hauler.
The other garbage contract council considered last month was a five-year $3.08 million deal with Waste Management that would have resulted in a distribution of new cans and bulk collections increasing from once a month to once per week. Costs would have dropped to about $34.25 next year.
Council opted to go with the cheaper contract with more overall collection amounts and options.
Service and invoice changes
Garbage bills are projected to drop to about $31 starting in January. The billing process remains the same.
Residents’ bills are projected to increase a little more than $1 each year of the contract.
Residents are estimated to save about $100 annually.
The new contract allows for up to 10 30-gallon trash bags and two bulk items per week.
It’s an increase from a 96-gallon plastic container outlined in other garbage contract documents.
However, Sharpsburg has an ordinance requiring all trash be in cans, and each household will need to supply their own cans as part of the new deal.
Waste Management will be collecting its receptacles at a date yet to be determined.
Councilman Jonathan Jaso said the amount of garbage able to be collected was the biggest difference for him, noting that either contract would have resulted in savings for residents.
He likened it to what the borough had prior to the current deal negotiationed with the North Hills Council of Governments.
“We essentially had unlimited garbage, and we took that away with the COG contract that was not written for the smaller communities and submitted at the last possible time, so we had to accept it,” Jaso said.
“This time, we put ourselves in a position and went out to bid on our own, under our terms.
“I think that we got the best outcome for the residents, more garbage capacity, at a cheaper rate. Yes, we will have to go and purchase garbage cans, but not everyone got rid of the cans when WM forced us to use theirs. This way, folks can get what they want for their needs.
“I am excited to bring this to the residents and hope that the change will be a positive one. I am hoping that County Hauling is a good neighbor helping to move us forward.”
Recycling service remains the same. A recycling bin will be provided to each household with curbside collection.
Recyclables should still be cleaned and placed in the can loosely, not in bags. The hazardous household waste and e-waste programs also remain intact.
DeRunk said for those services, residents will contact the hauler directly to be sent a bag or box in which to place the items for a scheduled pickup.
County Hauling is expected to work with the borough in the coming months to send out information about the new contract and services. It’s unclear when the mailers would be sent.
County Hauling is owned by parent company Noble Environmental. More information about the company is available at countyhauling.com.