On Thursday, June 24, 2021, Mayor Lester Miller announced several changes to significantly improve trash and recycling pick-up, including the hiring of a third-party company.

“While we have been patient with the short staffing because of the pandemic, we have come to a point where changes need to be made in the short term, we plan for additional changes, and we begin to consider the long-term implications of people in our community receiving these much-needed services,” said Mayor Miller.

Within the next 30 days, Ryland Environmental will provide trash, recycling, and yard waste collection for about 20% of the county. This will allow the current company, Waste Management, to reallocate their staff and equipment to the rest of the county, which would improve the services there.

The houses to receive the new services and the change in collection days there and other areas is still being finalized. People will be notified once the addresses and routes are set.

“The basic solution to the delay in trash pickup and recycling is simple,” said Mayor Miller. “We need more people and more equipment running the routes.”

People will not see any increase to their monthly solid waste payments. The county will offset the amount of about $2.2 million paid to Ryland Environmental from the amount currently paid to Waste Management.

In addition to the additional company, the Solid Waste Department will begin picking up recyclables on Monday, June 28. We ask every resident, no matter which zone they are in, to leave their recycling bins out Sunday, June 27, as crews work to collect them throughout the week. Mayor Miller, his team, and Commissioners will also help out in the recycling collection by riding along with the trucks until the routes are complete.

“What we’re announcing today is a short-term fix that will make a substantial impact and get us back on the right track,” said Mayor Miller.

To report a missed trash or recycling pickup, call Waste Management at 405-5000. You can also report it through SeeClickFix at www.maconbibb.us/seeclickfix or the mobile app.