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New Barrel Collection Schedule Change

Effective Monday, October 3, 2011

 

Oct 3rd Collection Schedule Map (PDF) Search for collection day using property address

Dear Mesa resident, We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to provide you with as much information as possible regarding the October 2011 barrel collection schedule change.  Our goal is to provide you with quality trash and recycle collection service.  We understand these changes will require residents to adjust their existing barrel placement routine.  However, we hope that Mesa residents understand the need for these changes and realize the long term financial benefits to their community.  If you have any additional questions, please let us know. Thank you for allowing us to serve you! Solid Waste Management Department Staff

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is happening?  

As recommended by the Solid Waste Management Department and presented to City Council, the trash/recycle barrel collection schedule will be changing for approximately 2/3 of the City beginning on October 3, 2011.    

 

What will be changing?  

The city is separated into three collection zones and changes for each zone will vary.  

Collection zones 1 & 3 will experience the biggest change:

• Zone 1 - West Mesa: Residents currently receiving Monday/Thursday service will be switched to a Wednesday/Saturday schedule  
  
  
• Zone 3 - East Mesa: Residents currently receiving Wednesday/Saturday service will be switched to a Monday/Thursday schedule with exception to the area noted below:
  
  
  • Approximately 400 Mesa households currently receiving Wednesday recycle/Saturday trash service will be switched to a Tuesday recycle/Friday trash schedule
    • East of Recker Road; west of Power Road
    • North of Baseline Road; South of Main Street  

 

Collection zone 2 will remain unchanged except for one minor exception:

• Zone 2 - Central Mesa: Residents receiving Tuesday/Friday service will continue to have their barrels collected on their current days with exception to the area noted below:
  
  
  • Approximately 1,100 Mesa households within a 1 square mile area will move from a Tuesday trash/Friday recycle service schedule to Wednesday trash/Saturday recycle and become part of Zone 1
    
    • East of Stapley Drive; west of Gilbert Road
    • North of University Drive; south of Brown Road

 

When will the change take effect?  

Monday, October 3, 2011    

 

Which barrels will be impacted?  

All black, blue and green barrels will be impacted by this change.

 

Why is this change taking place?
 

• Collection Zone Balance: The City realizes peak operational efficiencies when all collection zones utilize close to the same number of trucks each day.  Currently, Zones 2 & 3 require 35 trucks while Zone 1 only requires 33 trucks.  Rebalancing the zones and collection schedule will make it feasible to only require 34 trucks on any given day.
  
  
  • This would reduce the required size of the fleet by one truck, which would result in an estimated truck acquisition savings of $270,000 in FY 12/13; since this truck would be removed from the replacement schedule, the savings would be repeated every seven years thereafter.

 

• Travel time efficiency: Zone 3 currently has 3 disposal sites within close proximity while Zone 1, particularly the southern portion, has the longest travel distance to disposal sites as well as relatively higher traffic congestion.  Since Saturdays have the least traffic congestion, it is more efficient and safer to serve Zone 1 on this day.

 

• Operational cost savings: It is estimated that the City will save at least $5,000 per year due to improved travel time in Zone 1.  
    
  
• Total estimated annual savings: $43,571

 

How will I be notified?  

Impacted residents will receive two postcards.  One will be sent out the week of Sept. 12th and the second card will be mailed out the week of Sept. 26th.  If your days of collection are not changing, you will not receive a postcard.    

 

Is a map available so I can see the new collection schedule?  

Yes.  An online map is now available.

How many days per week does the City currently collect trash and recycle barrels?

Since the automated barrel program was first introduced in the late 1980's, the City of Mesa has provided collection service six days a week, Monday-Saturday, including all holidays.  On any given day, approximately 33-35 collection vehicles are deployed and each truck services more than 1,000 barrels per day.  While we could compress our collection schedule to four or five days, similar to other cities, it would require our department to purchase additional vehicles to handle the increased daily volume.  Each vehicle costs approximately $270,000 and is scheduled for replacement every seven years.  As you can imagine, this is a substantial cost to the City of Mesa.   A compressed collection schedule would also prohibit us from getting maximum value from our fleet.  Under our current business model, our fleet sits idle only one day a week, allowing us to capitalize on the full use of our vehicles.  As a side note, in an effort to improve their own operation, a large local municipality recently contacted the Solid Waste Management Department to inquire about our six-day collection schedule.

 

The trash/recycle truck normally services my barrel during the late morning hours.  Will my time of collection be impacted?  

More than likely and regardless of collection day, the time that the truck is in your neighborhood will change.  To ensure service, please have your barrel out for service no later than 6 a.m. on your scheduled collection day, including all holidays.    

 

When should I place my barrel out for service?  

Per City code (Title 8-3-5), residents may place their barrel out for service as early as 6 p.m. the night before but no later than 6 a.m. on their scheduled collection day.  Once serviced, residents should remove their barrel from the curb no later than 6 a.m. the day after collection.  Please visit our barrel reminders page for additional collection tips.

 

When should I place my green barrel out for service?  

Residents participating in the voluntary Green Yard Waste Barrel Program should place their green barrel out for collection on their new recycle day to be picked up by a green waste truck.  

 

How do I report a non-serviced container?  

If your barrel was not serviced on your scheduled collection day, please visit our 'Reporting a Missed Container' page for notification options.   

 

How much is this change costing the City?  

The cost to implement this change is approximately $45,000 which will cover the cost of the two mailings in addition to advertisements in the local paper.  However, the City expects to recover these costs in the first year due to the cost savings that will be realized.    

 

When was the last major boundary change implemented?  

The last time a boundary change occurred was in October 2006.  However, this is the first time since the automated barrel program was introduced that zone collection days are being switched.    

 

What if I have additional questions?  

If you have any additional questions, please contact us at waste.info@mesaaz.gov.  A temporary barrel collection schedule hotline has also been set up and residents can speak to a Solid Waste representative by calling (480) 833-2011, Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

 

 

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