The City Council is once again considering "pay as you throw," the practice of charging city refuse customers based on the amount of garbage they leave on the curb.
Columbia garbage customers pay a base fee of $14.42 per month for trash pickup. Recycling pickup and lawn clippings collection would continue to be free under a pay-as-you-throw approach, a report reviewed by the council on June 1 stated.
John Glascock, public works director, said residents would be charged a base fee for a certain number of bags and an additional fee for extra bags.
The program would help sustain the environment and economy by promoting recycling and reducing the production of refuse, in addition to creating the opportunity to accumulate additional funds that could be used to finance the waste management and recycling systems in the community, according to the report.
One potential problem with the plan is that residents might end up illegally dumping their waste in public areas, City Manager Bill Watkins said.
No substantial research on the project has been completed, Third Ward Councilman Karl Skala said, and the council decided to discuss the matter more in October.
Is "pay as you throw" the best method for dealing with excess garbage in Columbia?