(Council Bluffs, IA) -- The price Council Bluffs residents are charge for trash pickup is increasing next month.
In January, the Council Bluffs City Council approved a rate increase of $2 per month for solid waste collection. The approved rate adjustment begins April 1st and will cost $20 per month, with billing occurring quarterly.
The City says solid waste services are not funded by sales tax or property tax; therefore, the costs are recovered through the monthly fees. The last solid waste rate adjustments happened in 2008 and 2014.
“The City of Council Bluffs aims to provide efficient and cost-effective solid waste disposal services,” said Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh. “We are cognizant whenever it comes to increasing fees. In this case, we need to adjust the rates to continue providing the level of service to which our residents are accustomed.”
The City’s solid waste services include weekly curbside garbage and recycling collection as well as weekly yard waste collection from April 1 – November 30. Residents on City solid waste services can also schedule two bulky waste pick-ups and two appliance pick-ups annually at no charge. Additionally, Christmas tree curbside recycling takes place in January.
All of the curbside services equate to a total of 140 potential collections per year. At a monthly rate of $20, the cost for each collection is approximately $1.70.
Residents on City of Council Bluffs solid waste services can also recycle paper, cardboard, cans, scrap metal, and household hazardous materials for free at the Council Bluffs Recycling Center and the drop-off recycling containers in Council Bluffs. Other recyclables accepted for a fee at the Recycling Center include construction debris, electronics, concrete, appliances, trees, tires, and yard waste. New fees for these items will go into effect April 1 and will be posted on cbrecycles.com.
“The Council Bluffs Recycling Center is the only one-stop-shop available in the area,” said Tony Fiala, City of Council Bluffs Solid Waste Management Superintendent. “We take great pride in our comprehensive recycling center and the high-quality, convenient services we provide to our residents and our customers.”
Additional information can be found at cbrecycles.com.