JULY 5, 2012 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM
Let’s talk West County trash By JIM ERICKSON When it comes to trash and yard waste removal and recycling, West County communities long ago opted to let private companies handle the job rather than do it themselves. The result is that two of the largest waste and recycling companies in the nation handle much of that business, with a Bridgeton-based company also coming on the local scene in recent years. Republic Services, the company with the largest local presence through its Allied Waste subsidiary, announced last month that it is making a major investment to boost its recycling capabilities here. As part of that move, Republic will be working to convince customers in Ballwin, Chesterfield, Ellisville, Manchester, much of unincorporated St. Louis County and other area communities to make better use of their upgraded facilities. Brent Batliner, Republic’s local recycling manager, said that while landfills that serve the St. Louis area are generally in good shape from the standpoint of years of useful life remaining, boosting the amount of trash going into recycling makes good sense for several reasons. “The Midwest has more land available for landfills than in coastal areas, but successful recycling extends the amount of time a landfill can keep going simply because its space isn’t being used up by recyclable materials. Just a few years ago, recycling was pretty much a manual sorting proposition, but things have changed tremendously,” he noted. Indeed, much of the approximately $19 million Republic will spend on its recycling facilities in Hazelwood and South St. Louis will go for equipment that will triple their capacity through better and faster sorting. According to Batliner, what’s known as a single stream sorting system separates the various items with a series of screens, magnets, aluminum separators, air systems and optical scanners. The scanners are able to differentiate between four different categories of plastic. Batliner noted that humans also continue to play a role. “Yes, we use a lot of equipment, but we still need people for our quality control checking,” he said. Keeping the equipment and people busy will require St. Louis area residents to alter their way of doing things. “We’re going to encourage households to plan and to think first about putting items into the recycling container,” Batliner said. In addition to processing recyclables that its own trucks collect, the facilities also accept loads from other haulers. Changes ahead While Republic is improving its recycling
services, it’s also increasing automation technology used on its waste collection routes. And in another step – aimed both at controlling its fuel costs and making its operation more “green” – the company plans to convert its waste collection trucks from burning diesel to natural gas. Batliner said more than half of Republic’s collection routes now use automated equipment for collecting both solid waste and recyclables. “It’s easier, faster, more economical and saves on fuel,” he observed. The automated routes require customers to use rugged cans that the company provides so that the gripping mechanism on the trucks can properly grab the container, lift it and dump its contents. Often, as in the case of the recently negotiated Ballwin trash contract, these containers are provided to residents free of charge. Can local companies really compete? Republic’s Allied Waste is not without competition, although the company does have a major share of trash and waste hauling business in this area. IESI, part of Progressive Waste Solutions, Ltd., the third largest North American firm in the industry, contracts with Eureka for that city’s trash hauling services. Bridgeton-based Meridian Waste Services, LLC, has agreements with Wildwood, Clarkson Valley, Town & Country, and a number of other St. Louis area communities. Waste Management, Inc., the industry’s largest North American firm, also has a presence in the area. WM is a holding company and all operations are conducted by its subsidiaries. Allied Waste recently received an extension of its current contract with the city of Ballwin, giving the firm exclusive residential trash pickup rights there through 2022. The company sought the extension as a way to facilitate its conversion to using natural gas in its collection trucks and implementation of automated trash pickup. But several Ballwin Board members questioned the process of not allowing other companies to bid on trash services. During its presentation, Republic noted that residents will benefit from the company’s efficiency moves. The monthly cost for trash pickup in the new contract’s 10th and final year – $23.23 – is below the $23.30 cost set forth in the last year of the current agreement, which would have ended in 2015. The comparison assumes the customer uses a 65-gallon container, the company’s most popular size. Collection rates are higher for a 95-gallon can and lower for a 35-gallon model. For comparisons of trash prices across West County, visit this story online at newsmagazinenetwork.com.
I NEWS I 17
“How to Get Medicaid Coverage for Nursing Home Care...Without Selling Your Home or Leaving Your Family Without a Dime” Act today! We fill up quickly! One of the biggest fears that many people have today is the fear of having their life savings wiped out if they end up in a nursing home. What a shame to see someone’s life savings of 30, 40, or 50 years wiped out in a matter of months. Whether you or a family member is in a crisis or not, it is important that you understand what you can do to protect your hardearned assets! Most of the public does not yet realize that the laws on asset protection and long-term care planning changed on February 8, 2006. It is extremely important that you know about these changes and how they may affect your long-term care planning! A brand new, FREE informational workshop hosted by local Elder Care Attorney, Rick Vouga, from Vouga Elder Law, LLC, will be held:
Wednesday, July 10th, 10:00 a.m. OR 6:30 p.m. Vouga Elder Law, 2997 Clarkson Road Chesterfield, MO 63017 At this meeting here is some of what you will discover: • • •
• •
How to avoid having your life savings wiped out by a nursing home spend down. How the new law restricts protection of assets. The asset protection language that most people don’t have in their power of attorney documents, which can help protect their life’s savings. Veterans benefits that most people know nothing about. How Medicaid works...and the steps you need to take now to protect yourself and your family.
Attendance at this brand new meeting is FREE, but seating is limited and RSVP IS REQUIRED. You can reserve
your spot at the meeting by calling 636-394-0009 ext. 20. The meeting will fill up quickly, so call right away. **SPECIAL BONUS** We will also be distributing a FREE copy of “The Consumer’s Guide to Medicaid Planning and Division of Assets.” This booklet has been updated to reflect the new law changes that have just been passed. (Limit 1 guide per household). Again, call
Vouga Elder Law at 636-394-0009 ext. 20, to reserve your spot. “The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.” Paid Advertisement