VALDOSTA —
Lowndes County citizens flocked to county collection/recycling centers this week to take advantage of the final days of service before the centers close Feb. 3. Curbside garbage, recycling and yard waste pick-up will begin Feb. 1.
The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners near the end of 2012 voted to approve a contract with Advanced Disposal to serve as the sole waste company to conduct curbside trash pick-up in unincorporated Lowndes County. Some citizens remain critical of the change in service, which will cost $12.80 per month, and many are trying to get their last loads to the collection/recycling centers before they close.
“These past couple of weeks, we’ve been getting hammered,” said John Crittenden Jr., supervisor of sanitation for Lowndes County Public Works. “It’s like we’re giving something away for free! They’ve been bringing all their trash and recycling in, especially since the weather has been nice.”
Full-time employees at the recycling stations, which are already employees of Public Works, said County Clerk Paige Dukes, will be moved to different positions within the department. Part-time employees will need to find new jobs.
Advanced Disposal will offer curbside household waste pick-up each week, and yard and bulky waste pick-up and curbside recycling every two weeks. Signing up for the service is not mandatory, but there are almost no other options, and trash burning is strictly controlled by county ordinance.
It is illegal to burn household trash, and the burning of yard waste can only be done by individual permit.
County resident Frank Rice, who was dumping a pickup-truckload of leaves and pine straw in the yard waste area of the recycling center on Gil Harbin Road Friday, voiced his opinion of the new waste ordinance.
“I think they should keep the recycling centers open,” Rice said. “I have a lot of leaves in my yard, and they’re only going to pick up clippings every two weeks. I take my leaves out here every time I rake. It’s convenient.”
The county recommends residents in unincorporated Lowndes County call Advanced Disposal, (229) 244-2466, to establish service prior to the Feb. 1 start date, to prevent problems due to call volume.
Local News
Related Photos
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| The Valdosta Daily Times is trash and recycling at the county collection/recycling center on Gil Harbin Road Friday. All recycling centers will close Feb. 3, and curbside trash pick-up and recycling will begin Feb. 1. Jason Schaefer / VDT
Discussion
Trash centers dumped
Final week to make trips to county recycling centers
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