Detroit is gearing up for a major overhaul in its trash collection services starting June 3rd, with residents set to receive expanded waste and recycling services on a weekly basis. According to a report by ClickOnDetroit, the city's Department of Public Works announced that GFL Environmental is on the way out, with Priority Waste stepping in to handle the East Side and parts of Southwest Detroit.
DPW Director, Ron Brundridge stated, “With this enhanced level of service, residents will now be able to put all of their solid waste items out on a weekly basis on the same collection day,” Waste Management is poised to continue servicing the West Side, as they have for the past eight years. However, the deal now includes weekly pickups for bulk, brush, and recycling across the entire city. The new contracts, worth $40 million, aim to improve city-wide beautification efforts
Residents can expect to see not just their regular trash but also bulk items, recycling, yard waste, and previous no-gos like household renovation debris such as wood cabinets, and drywall, picked up weekly. “I am so grateful and happy to have these new contracts and services especially the expanded bulk pick up. We are doing a lot in our area, and must maintain a clean, safe environment for our children,” Keisha Brooks, Haverhill Block Club president, and business owner told detroitmi.gov.
The upgraded services include debris removal on connector side streets, an aspect not previously offered. Brundidge expressed his confidence in the updated approach to solid waste management, "Detroit residents will now have the same level of service our neighbors in the suburbs have had for years." The expanded service contracts, extend over a five-year period, with options to renew annually for up to five additional years. Despite the enhanced services, costs to residents will see a gradual increase, totaling $10 annually for the next three years, equating to an average monthly uptick of $0.83.
For households grappling with waste that surpasses the city's collection capacity, DPW also offers a paid curbside pickup service. All other guidelines and schedules for residents west and northwest of the city remain unchanged until June 3, after which Priority Waste will take the helm. In the transition, Priority Waste will cater to 94,000 households while Waste Management covers 133,000. Residents can also make use of the city's free drop-off centers and stay informed via the DPW text messaging service or the "My Home Info" tool on the city website.
