A new solid waste and recycling program will enhance services and save City residents $800,000 annually.
Sugar Land City Council approved a 10-year contract with Republic Services at an initial monthly rate of $15.77, a decrease from the scheduled 2012 rate of $18.62. New service will begin on Dec. 5.
Households in Sugar Land currently provided service by Republic Services will receive automated garbage collection twice per week, automated recycling collection once per week, green waste collection once per week, bulky waste collection once per month and an on-call collection service.
Current curbside recycling will be expanded to include all colors of glass bottles and jars. The addition of a green waste program ensures all green waste — grass clippings, leaves, brush, tree limbs, etc. — will be taken to a composting facility and recycled into mulch or compost rather than sent to a landfill.
Also new for every household will be a 95-gallon garbage cart and a 65-gallon recycling cart, though larger or smaller cart sizes may be requested by June 30 if preferred.
Automated curbside collection contributes to the neighborhood’s appearance (as residents are issued carts with wheels and lids that have a uniform appearance) and more efficient operations that results in savings to residents. The program also utilizes carts that provide for a reduction in litter, odors and problems associated with animals and insects.
A test of the program in several Sugar Land neighborhoods resulted in a 260 percent increase in recycling, a benefit that results in less trash in area landfills.
Initial educational events pertaining to the new program will be held from 8-10 a.m. on May 21 at Eldridge Park, 2511 Eldridge Road, and June 4 at Lost Creek Park, 3703 Lost Creek Blvd. Information regarding the new program will also be mailed to Sugar Land residents.
For more information, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/solidwaste or call Sugar Land Public Works at (281) 275-2450.