Trash Collection Update, August 19th

The COHAD Board met with Leigh Collins from Republic and several of her team members for over an hour yesterday. Here's what we found out:

The Goal

The goal of the service change was to solve the operational issues that result from having different homes on different collection schedules. Homes that had Republic prior to the Waste Management acquisition were already on a once-a-week schedule, every-other week recycle with no bulk/brush and no household hazardous waste (HHW) service. By contrast, homes using Waste Management had twice-a-week trash pickup, once-a-week recycling pick-up, with bulk/brush and HHW. Waste Management customers were paying $35 more per quarter than Republic customers for that difference in service.

The Changes

Republic moved forward with a change in service to bring everyone onto the same plan with the same features at a price point between the two plans that existed before. The price on the flyers that were distributed was incorrect. The price of this new once-weekly plan is $70.50 per quarter, plus tax.

For customers who already paid the old, higher WM rate for this quarter, the difference becomes a credit on the account, which will be applied to the next bill. If that is not what you see on your next bill, please call Customer Service at Republic.

Republic Will Provide A New Offering

Based on the feedback we provided in the meeting yesterday, Republic is putting together a new offering that would essentially provide the same level of service as the old WM offering:

• Trash pickup twice weekly.

• Recycling pickup once weekly.

• Bulk/Brush once weekly.

• HHW on-call.

Republic has advised that they will get back to the COHAD Board by Wednesday, 8/26/2020 on the cost of this offering. At that time, we will communicate the new offering with price to the neighborhood to allow feedback on which plan (either the current once-a-week plan or the proposed twice-a-week plan) will best suit our neighborhood. We will communicate the choice back to Republic and at that time, they will offer service based on that single plan of choice.

You Have A Choice

There is no contract in place with COHAD or with the residents. Contracts are normally entered into with mandatory HOA's. We will have an agreed upon price and terms of service, consistent for everyone in the neighborhood. Individual homeowners have a choice. The homeowner can choose to do business with Republic Services or they can choose to go elsewhere. COHAD only influences the offerings that Republic Services will make available in our community, and we will put much thought and consideration, based on your feedback, into this influence as we move forward.

We have been in touch with several other providers in the area. Those are:

Frontier Waste Solutions

https://frontierwaste.com/

Frontier only offers once-weekly trash pickup on Wednesdays, and does not offer recycling. You can call for bulk collection. Quarterly price would be $81 + tax for one bin, add $27 for a second bin, and add $40.50 for a third bin. There is a one-time $25 delivery fee.

Texas Integrity Waste Solutions

https://www.facebook.com/texasintegritywaste

Texas Integrity offers once-weekly trash pickup only, and does not offer recycling. Bulk collection is extra and pricing would need to be determined. Quarterly price would be $60, tax included for 1 cart, and $15 more for each additional cart, up to 4 total.

Waste Connections of Texas

https://www.wasteconnections.com/

This company might offer service here. We are getting contradictory answers. This post will be updated, if we get new information.

Please let us know if you discover any other options. Based on the above, it looks like Republic is probably going to be the best deal, since they are the only ones offering recycling and bulk included, and they are the only ones even considering two pickups a week. But, we will need to see what their new offer looks like.

If you choose to no longer work with Republic, you will need to call their Customer Service to cancel service and discuss any necessary refunds.

Republic Will Collect All Old Bins This Friday

On Friday, August 21st, please put out any old waste containers for pickup and continue to use the new green and blue Republic trash containers that were recently dropped off. Republic stated on the call that they will be picking up all the old bins this Friday. There is no charge for the new bins.

For Now, Collection Is Once A Week In The New Bins

The new blue bin is for trash, and the new green bin is for recycling - the opposite of what most of us are used to. Republic expects that having the entire neighborhood on the same schedule with the same bins will help solve the operational issues we have repeatedly experienced, including: missed pickups, and recycling and trash being dumped into the same truck. Time will tell.

Expect Another Update In A Week

We expect to have another update once we have the new offering from Republic. At that time we will direct you to how to provide us feedback. Stay tuned!