HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — If you live in Houston County, you'll start seeing changes in your waste pickup services next year.
Houston County Commissioners voted to hire Ryland Environmental as their new waste disposal service company to replace Waste Management.
One year from today, July 1, the company is expected to take over, the public works office said.
"The difference is some people only wish to have trash services, so, if you're only paying for trash services, and you're not using it for recycle and yard waste right now, you're paying for other people to use the service," Utility Director Terry Diestch said.
When Ryland Environmental takes over next year, Dietsch said residents have to pay an annual fee to have their recycling and yard waste removed.
In addition to your trash fee, people in Houston County will pay "an annual subscription through public works" for recycling services and/or yard waste removal, he added. Those who subscribe to recycling will get 95-gallon bins from the county.
"Yard waste you have to sign up for," Diestch explained. "But, bulk waste, that'll be included in your trash — but you will have to call 72 hours in advance."
Bulk waste includes things like appliances, mattresses and furniture, according to Director of Operations Brian Jones.
For the past three years, the Waste Management company served people in Houston County.
"Never leave anything on the ground — as far as trash — that's our motto," Route Manager Ashely Reeves said.
Right now, people pay for all disposal services through their water bill. That also covers their recycling and yard waste removal fees, in addition to their trash pickup fees, which is $23.16, according to Jones.
The county commissioners voted to replace Waste Management with Ryland Environmental at last week's meeting because they made a Request For Proposal (RFP) they opened up to 8 contractors.
From those, half made proposals; the top two bids considered were Waste Management and Ryland Environmental.
According to public works, the offer from Ryland Environmental was "selected based on its price and value," in addition to its offer to provide new equipment and technology. Particularly, they offered to provide trucks with ASLs or automated side loader arms.
After the vote, Reeves said she considered making a petition on behalf of her team. On Sunday, she created and shared it.
"Maybe we should do this and collect all the signatures we possibly can to show that there are so many people that care if we are here, and take that to them and see if we have a second chance when it comes to the bid," Reeves said. "We're honestly were trying to see if this would do anything at all to help us."
However, Jones says the road ahead for the petitioners is steep.
"I'm not sure if the petition can accomplish much because the board has already voted on it and accepted Ryland," Jones said.
Right now, the county said, Ryland is ordering equipment and vehicles for trash, recycle and yard waste services.