COLUMBIA — The first week of roll cart distribution is finished, and everything so far is going to plan.
Columbia Utilities spokesperson Matt Nestor said the distributor started dropping off roll carts on Thursday to customers with Tuesday trash pickup days.
“We’ll probably get through Tuesday routes sometime early to mid next week,” Nestor said.
The distribution vendor, Rehrig Pacific, dropped off more than 1,000 roll carts on Friday. In total, Rehrig has dropped off just under 9,000 roll carts since the distribution process started Monday.
Roll carts are being dropped off where they are expected to be placed on pickup day. The city has asked that residents place roll carts with the wheels against the curb on the side of the road. Nestor says although these carts are on the road, they shouldn’t be a problem to drivers.
“You have to deal with them the same way you deal with anything along the side of the roads, as long as you’re paying attention, it shouldn’t be a problem,” Nestor said.
For one Columbia resident, she is simply grateful that roll carts are coming to the city.
“It’s about time Columbia joins the modern world,” Kathy Barreto said.
Barreto, a resident of Spring Valley Road, said she spent 39 years away from Columbia after growing up here and came back in 2010. She spent time in Kansas City, Topeka, Kansas, and even Puerto Rico. She says everywhere she lived outside of Columbia, there has been roll carts.
“My son lived in Hawaii and even they had a roll cart system,” Barreto said.
Barreto said she hopes the city will now try other methods of waste pickup.
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“Now the city needs to establish recycling and composting systems,” Barreto said.
In March, the Columbia City Council approved ordinance amendments that will allow Solid Waste Utility to transition to the use of roll carts for automated refuse collection.
Some of the rules with carts includes the following:
- Hazardous waste, electronics, ash and coal can’t go into the roll cart
- There needs to be 3 feet between roll carts, 8 feet from other objects, and 15 feet of vertical clearance
- Roll carts must be closed when being picked up
Roll carts will continue to be dropped off over the next three weeks. Nestor said residents need to keep in mind that roll cart trash pickup starts March 4.
“Until March 4, there will not be any collection of these roll carts, so please do not expect them to be dumped,” Nestor said
Nestor said the city’s next focus is making sure Columbia Utility crews are properly trained on the automated trucks that will pick up the roll carts.
The Columbia City Council will also hear a first reading Monday of a new amendment proposed for roll cart storage. Some customers expressed confusion on where to store their carts. The amendment is as follows:
“Except on the scheduled day of collection, it shall be unlawful to place or store refuse and recycling or refuse and recycling roll carts at any location on the premises which is not immediately adjacent to the residential structure.”
The picture above shows a map of trash pickup days. Anyone with questions is invited to go to CoMo.gov or call 573-874-CITY.