Speak up for Cleaner, Greener, Cheaper Garbage & Recycling Collection
Now’s our chance, while Hillsborough County is negotiating new garbage collection contracts, to tell the county we want CLEANER, GREENER & CHEAPER service.
Here’s my wish-list I’m sending our county, requesting my favorite options from among those currently being considered:
Switch to new CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) trucks which are much greener than current diesel trucks, reducing air polluting emissions by about 50% and reducing the toxic leakage onto roads (from brake-lines & engines) which runs off to pollute our bay, lakes & rivers.
Collect recyclables into one convenient roll-cart using the modern single-stream system without requiring customers to presort their recyclables. Switching to this system instead of the current cumbersome little presorted bins increased recycling rates by more than 85% in just one year in Brevard County. More recycling means fewer landfills and extends the life of our current landfills.
Provide all households with new standardized roll-carts instead of requiring customers to buy their own garbage cans. The new carts are easy to roll and they eliminate blown-off lids, spilled and ripped bags, and are less accessible to pests.
Reduce costs by switching from our outdated manual system to a newer automated system. Automation requires a smaller workforce and results in reduced workforce injuries. Automation also reduces citizens’ costs of garbage cans by providing roll-carts. And while we’re calculating costs for the old manual system, let’s include the costs of additional air & water pollution, and the costs of additional landfills.
There is some political pressure to stick with the same old vendors who have built up political connections to maintain the status quo. Commissioners need to hear from the public that we want to switch from our old manual system to the modern automated system which is CLEANER, GREENER & CHEAPER.
Find out more about the options being considered:
Voice your ideas, suggestions and concerns:
Email: talktrash@hillsboroughcounty.org
Also copy your message to all county commissioners on this form
Text or Voice: (813) 704-0181
Attend a public meeting to learn more and speak up:
- Saturday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m.
at the SouthShore Regional Service Center, 410 SE 30th St. in Ruskin - Monday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd. in Tampa - Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W Bearss Ave. in Tampa - Thursday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
at Strawberry Crest High School, 4691 Gallagher Road in Dover
