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The following message was sent out to all Leaseholders on December 3, 2020. Please contact our office if you did not receive this update by email and/or mail.
As many of you may already know, our long time garbage service provider, Joe B. Long passed away in June. Richardson Waste Removal has recently acquired the business and as a result, there are some changes that will be made to garbage and recycling services provided.
Since 1963, Richardson Waste Removal has been helping keep Southern Tennessee and Northern Alabama clean. Stationed out of Fayetteville, TN, they are a local family-owned and operated business that offers garbage services and next-day dumpster rentals. The University has been utilizing their services for many years for construction and student move-out dumpsters
At this time, the cost of the service is NOT increasing. With the adjustments listed below, Richardson Waste Removal will work with the University and the Lease Office to keep the required service in line with the other rural communities in our area.
What are the changes in garbage services for the Sewanee community?
1. Beginning January 1, 2021, all routes will be picked up on Thursdays.
2. Beginning January 1, 2021, curbside recycling will be discontinued.
Why is garbage only being picked up on Thursdays?
This will allow Richardson Waste Removal to reduce expenses by balancing labor, time and fuel to offer a sustainable service to our rural community. This should also make it easy for all residents to remember the schedule.
Why is the twice-monthly curbside recycling being discontinued?
At this time, the service is not considered cost-effective or sustainable in the long term. The reasons are many with the chief problem being commingled and unacceptable items placed in bags. Other reasons include expense of a specialized vehicle being called out for the blue bag pickup, the cost of the bags (10,000 plus bags per year), the labor to open and empty the bags, and the fact that the bag itself is considered waste after the debagging. There was also a limited number of residents taking part in this service.
With the next two remaining pickups (12/4 and 12/18), please use the attached recycling guidelines to separate acceptable recycling items. This effort will aid the garbage service providers in the time and labor needed for debagging and ensure that all items can be properly recycled.
Where do I take my recycling beginning January 1, 2021?
Recycling can be taken to the Franklin County Convenience Center, located at 132 Missouri Avenue, as the available drop-off location for plastic bottles and jugs, paper, aluminum, cardboard recycling in addition to metals and waste oil.
What about glass recycling?
There is no change in the glass recycling. Glass recycling is still available on 191 Kennerly Avenue and is wholly supported by our local funds.
What time should I have my garbage can outside?
As has been the practice, the advised time to have your garbage can curbside is 7:00 am. Putting the can out the night before will always give you peace of mind that you won’t miss a scheduled pickup.
What if I forget to put out my garbage?
If you forget, you will have to wait until the next Thursday pickup or take your garbage to the Franklin County Convenience Center, located on 132 Missouri Avenue.
Can special services be arranged with Richardson Waste?
Customers desiring to arrange for special services such as a pickup of garbage cans that are not able to be placed by the road, or the removal of large items which are not within the items acceptable for the regular collection, should negotiate directly with the contractor. The charges for those services will also be handled directly and not included in the University billing.
Will garbage be picked up on the holidays?
No. When a major holiday falls on a collection day, the garbage service provider will make adjustments during that week and the Lease Office will send a notice to residents.
What about other ideas for waste reduction?
This is an opportunity for the community to offer ideas for services and events that might be utilized by the whole community. For example, a spring cleanup of large, bulky items, or promotion of backyard composting.
The Lease Office would like to hear from residents regarding community-focused ideas.
