2020-011 Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Program UpdatesDate: January 31, 2020 Report No. 2020-011
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Program Updates
BACKGROUND:
In October 2019, as part of the FY 2019-2020 budget process, the City of Denton Solid Waste and
Recycling Department adopted several program improvements designed to enhance service equity
amongst program ratepayers while creating operational efficiencies and improved safety for the
employees of the department. These improvements include, but are not limited to, the elimination
of curbside yard waste collection in plastic bags, replacing it with a subscription-based kraft bag
and yard cart collection program, and the elimination of fee-based garbage collection for bags
placed outside the cart.
In the months following implementation, staff has monitored customer feedback and revised yard
waste and excess waste operations to address customer concerns. In that vein, this staff report is
being circulated to inform Council about additional process improvements related to yard waste
and excess bags of solid waste.
DISCUSSION:
Yard Waste Collection: It has come to staff’s attention that occupants of exceptionally wooded
residential lots may encounter increased costs associated with the yard waste collection due to the
need to utilize significant numbers of kraft bags or yard carts to manage their fall leaf collections
and/or spring lawn maintenance. Resultantly, an exception to the program has been identified
allowing Denton residents to place up to 25 to 30-gallon plastic bags curbside twice per year. These
collections must be scheduled by calling customer service at (940) 349-8700. The plastic bags are
treated as bulk waste and the material is deposited directly into the waste mass at the City of Denton
landfill. No diversion of this organic material into beneficial reuse is realized.
Excess Garbage Collection: Residents occasionally generate more garbage than their cart will
contain. To address this occurrence, residents may have excess garbage bags collected as bulk
waste. To request an excess waste collection, customers may call Customer Service at (940) 349-
8700. Similar to bulk collections, the first two (2) items/bags will be collected free of charge and
additional bags will be assessed a $5 per bag fee. Collection will occur on the customer’s regular
collection day. Unless otherwise directed, staff will implement these program changes no later
than February 1, 2020.
Date: January 31, 2020 Report No. 2020-011
STAFF CONTACT:
Brian Boerner
Director of Solid Waste
940-349-8001
brian.boerner@cityofdenton.com