Changes to the Saint Louis County Waste Management Code that Affect Residential Trash Service
On December 28, 2006 the Saint Louis County Council approved changes to the Waste Management Code. What follows is a brief summary of changes that affect residential trash service and frequently asked questions regarding the code. Please note that these changes do not apply to multi-family residences of four or more units. (click to see the complete waste code)
Click for a Summary of the Key Changes
Minimum Level of Service
Establishes a minimum level of service to include once a week trash collection, once a week recovered material collection, and twice a year bulky waste collection to assure uniform service availability throughout St. Louis County.
Exception for Minimum Level of Service in Municipalities with Recycling Drop-offs
The minimum level of service applies to both unincorporated and municipalities within St. Louis County. Recovered material collection will not be required for municipalities that operate a drop off recycling center and also meet waste diversion goals established by the County Council.
Contracts For Collection in Unincorporated Areas
Sometimes called trash districts or organized trash collection, contract areas will be established in unincorporated St. Louis County to designate one trash hauler as the service provider for each neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Minimum Level of Service
Any trash hauler that provides service in St. Louis County (both unincorporated and municipalities) must offer a minimum level of service that includes:
- Once a week trash collection
- Once a week recovered material collection
- Twice a year bulky waste collection
Recovered material collection, as used in the Waste Management Code is a broader and more versatile term for what residents typically refer to as curbside recycling. Each year the Department of Health provides a list of materials that must be included in recovered material collection. For 2007 those materials include:
aluminum cans, foil and trays; aseptic/gable top containers (juice boxes, milk cartons); cardboard and chip board (cereal, pasta boxes, etc); paper (mail, newspapers, magazines, school and office paper, brown paper bags, phone books); all plastic containers except #6; steel/tin cans; glass bottles and jars.
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Bulky waste collection includes common household items that are too large to fit in standard residential trash container. The minimum level of service requires your hauler to make a bulky pick-up, twice a year, at no cost above the charge for minimum level of service. Bulky items do not include items that are banned from landfill disposal such as appliances and tires. Additional bulky collections, including collection of banned items may be available from your hauler at an additional cost.
Minimum Level of Service in Municipalities with Recycling Drop-offs
Municipalities that operate a drop off recycling center will be exempt from the minimum level of service provision of once a week recovered material collection, if they demonstrate that their recycling programs meet waste diversion rates established by the County Council.
Waste diversion rates are a measure of how successful a community has been in reducing the amount of wastes actually going to landfills. The State of Missouri has a 40% waste diversion goal. A study performed by R.W. Beck determined in 2005 that St. Louis County had achieved a 30% waste diversion rate. That same study outlined strategies and recommendations that led the County to set a goal to reach a 50% waste diversion by the year 2010.
The Waste Code specifies the following waste diversion rates for municipalities that operate drop off recycling centers:
- After January 1, 2008, a 40% waste diversion rate in the preceding six (6) months.
- After January 1, 2010, a 50% waste diversion rate in the preceding six (6) months.
Should the municipality be unable to demonstrate the above waste diversion rates, once a week recovered material collection will have to be implemented. This exception applies only to recovered material collection. The municipality still must comply with the minimum level of service provisions of once a week trash collection and twice a year bulky waste collection.
Contracts For Collection in Unincorporated Areas
The Waste Code provides language for the County Executive to form contract areas in unincorporated County and to enter into exclusive contracts for collection of trash and recovered materials. The contract areas are to be in place by January 15, 2008.
The process for establishing the contract areas will be as follows:
- The boundaries of contract areas will be determined after considering factors such as size, compactness, road system and other relevant considerations.
- The County Executive will advertise for bids or proposals for collection service in designated contract areas.
- The County Council shall award contracts to persons that have submitted the most responsible bid or proposal.
- The contract will not exceed three years.
How will I know when my hauler starts the minimum level of service?
Your trash hauler will provide specific information on how trash, recovered materials, and bulky waste collections will be conducted. The Waste Management Code requires notification at least once every six months to customers of the services that are available, fees for service, service schedules, and a list of all items included in the recovered material collection, plus any other additional services, such as appliance pick-up, yard waste collection, etc.
What is included in the recovered material collection?
Each year the Department of Health provides a list of materials that must be included in recovered material collection. For 2007 those materials include: aluminum cans, foil and trays; aseptic/gable top containers (juice boxes, milk cartons); cardboard and chip board (cereal, pasta boxes, etc); paper (mail, newspapers, magazines, school and office paper, brown paper bags, phone books); all plastic containers except #6; steel/tin cans; glass bottles and jars.
What is included in bulky waste collection?
Bulky waste collection includes common household items that are too large to fit in standard residential trash container, such as mattresses and furniture. The minimum level of service requires your hauler to make a bulky pick-up, twice a year, at no cost above the charge for minimum level of service. Bulky items do not include items that are banned from landfill disposal such as appliances and tires.
What if I need bulky collection more than twice a year?
Additional bulky collections, including collection of banned items, such as appliances, may be available from your hauler at an additional cost. Your hauler will be able to provide you with more information
How does this change affect municipalities and subdivisions currently under a trash contract that doesn’t meet the minimum level of service?
For areas with an existing contract, implementation will be on January 15, 2008 or at the termination of an existing waste contract (whichever is the later date).
On rental property, who is responsible for the minimum level of service?
On all properties, the person responsible for generating the waste and/or the owner of the property, are required to have weekly collection of trash. Providing the minimum level of service is the responsibility of the trash hauler.
Does a minimum level of service mean recycling is mandated?
No. St. Louis County will not issue fines for residents who don’t recycle, but your trash hauler is mandated by the code to provide their residential customers (one and two family residences) a minimum level of service that includes once a week recycling. You have the option to recycle once a week, which is included in the basic fee for the minimum level of service.
If I don’t recycle do I still pay the same rate?
Yes. You will pay for a minimum level of service that includes the opportunity to recycle once a week.
Does the Waste Management Code prohibit twice a week trash service?
No. Your hauler has the option of offering additional services (such as twice a week trash, rear door collection) at extra costs.
How will these changes affect the cost for my trash service?
It all depends on your current level of service. Some residents will see no change and others may see increases or decreases in their bills.
Why isn’t yard waste collection part of minimum service?
Yard waste was not included for several reasons. Yard waste isn’t typically discarded as often as household trash; the need for yard waste disposal varies by community; Missouri Law bans yard waste from landfill disposal; and St. Louis County encourages composting and grass cycling as an important waste reduction strategy. However, the Waste Management Code requires licensed haulers to make yard waste collection available at a reasonable cost for residents that request that service.
Why doesn’t minimum level of service apply to multi-family residences?
Multi-family residences most frequently are handled as commercial accounts due to the nature of their storage, container and collection frequency requirements. As such, the minimum level of service applies to residential waste, defined as residences of 3 units or less.
Why is the County setting up contract areas in unincorporated areas?
Contract areas will be established in an effort to address the concerns raised by residents. Surveys have shown that the majority of residents are concerned about the following:
- Municipalities that contract for trash service for their residents often enjoy a lower cost per household since they benefit from economies of scale.
- Lack of cost-effective and convenient recycling opportunities.
- Issues with having several haulers operate in a neighborhood which include:
- Wear and tear on roadways
- Safety concerns due to truck traffic
- The unsightliness of seeing trash set out daily
What if I want to choose my own trash hauler based on cost and service?
Based on previous public opinion studies, most residents have stated that they want districting and a smaller percentage wanted the “freedom of choice”. In order to meet the needs of the majority and to provide the highest level of service to the entire community, contract areas were adopted by the County Council.
Extensive research has demonstrated that losing the option of choosing a trash hauler is outweighed by the benefits communities receive when hauling companies competitively bid to serve a defined area. St. Louis County is aware of the importance of good customer service. Not only will customer service be a key component of the bid specifications, but also penalties for poor service will be factored into the contract.
My rates have increased drastically and seem unreasonable. What can I do?
The Waste Code protects residents by requiring the cost of collection provided by licensed haulers to be “reasonable”. If your hauler has raised rates to a point that you believe to be unreasonable, you should report this issue to the Saint Louis County Department of Health Solid Waste Management Program.
Phone Number: 314-615-8958
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