“Waste Not, Want Not”
Solid Waste, Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste
New Contract for 2024-2027
“The only constant in the world is change” and change is on the horizon for how solid waste contractors manage their solid waste disposal and recycling. Amid times where companies are struggling to find people to work, waste contractors are faced with the same challenges. Waste contractors are moving towards automated service to accommodate for the lack of employees and to reduce injuries of their aging work force. During the July 19, 2023 Board of Supervisor’s Public Board Meeting, the Board unanimously voted to award the lowest bidder out of two bidders for the 2024-2027 Solid Waste Contract to Vogel Disposal Services. Instead of unlimited service, the Township is moving towards limited, fully automated waste service. This new contract will go into effect January 1, 2024. This will ensure residents will only pay for the waste they create and will not pay for other residents’ excess waste. In preparation for this change, if you have large items that will not fit into the 96-gallon cart, you have until the end of this year to place those items at the curb for no cost. With this new contract, all waste must fit inside the 96-gallon cart. There will be one bulk item picked up per month at no extra cost on a designated week that Vogel will notify to all customers once established. If you have more than one bulk item to dispose of, you may contact Vogel to arrange for a pick-up at an additional set cost.
Explanation and Cost of Services
Weekly garbage pick-up, bi-weekly recycling services, seasonal yard waste, and customer-scheduled Household Hazardous Waste collection will continue with the next contract. In November/December of 2023, Vogel will be delivering 96-gallon carts to all residents who do not currently have a Vogel issued waste cart. Those with a Vogel issued waste cart will keep the cart they have. Customers will no longer pay a rental fee for the carts. The 96-gallon cart is property of Vogel, and they will make repairs/replace at no cost to the customer when needed. After 60 days from the delivery of new carts, residents may exchange the 96-gallon cart for a smaller cart (64 or 35 gallon) ONCE AT NO COST to the customer. Any additional exchanges will have a $25 fee associated with each exchange. (See photo below for size differences-- you can visit the Township office to view cart sizes in-person)
- Regular Curb Service: $30/month for 2024 (increasing roughly 6% each following year)
- Charge for an extra 96-gallon cart: $8/month per cart
- Backyard Service: $25/month additional
- Drive-In Service: $35/month additional
- Senior Cart Program: Flat rate of $25/month for the entirety of contract.
- Each qualifying senior citizen (those 65 years or older) will receive a 35-gallon cart in lieu of the sticker program.
About the Bid/Senior Options
Two bidders submitted proposals to the Township: Vogel Disposal and Waste Management. Each contractor provided pricing for two options: option 1 was unlimited, traditional manual service and option 2 was limited automated service. The automated service was the lowest cost option, Vogel being the lowest out of the two. The sticker program bid for the seniors was cost-prohibitive at $30/sticker (vs. $6/sticker currently). The significant cost difference was the reason why the cart program was selected. Any unused 2023 stickers must be returned to the Township office by January 10, 2024 to receive a refund. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Township at 724-443-5921 or info@richland.pa.us.
