Northglenn is raising rates for its internal trash pickup services to single-family homes starting Jan. 1 in order to catch up to mounting costs associated with new equipment.
About 9,600 residents who use the city’s services will see their bill go up from $12.25 to $16. This is the first increase to the city’s trash service since 2004.
Northglenn has sustained a “gradual loss of revenue attributable to more complex equipment, essentially,” said David Willett, director of Northglenn’s Public Works Department. “We used to run old-style trash trucks similar to what Waste Management uses today where you have two drivers who basically have to get out of their vehicle and toss the barrels into the back of the truck,” he said. “We’ve gradually switched over to a one-driver system using an automated truck with an arm that does everything electronically, and that’s raised revenue issues (because of the) amount of sophistication that goes into the new trash trucks.”
The city began transitioning its eight trucks in 2010, and became completed the transition a year ago.
“So these costs have sort of crept up on us,” he said.
The city is also increasing costs for other trash services, including its special pickup program that allows residents to have up to 10 large items like sofas, kitchen sinks and even bathtubs, removed three times a year.
Previously, the first two special pickups were free, and the third cost about $7.50. Starting next year, the third special pickup will increase to $100. Each special pick up costs the city a minimum of $136 on average.
Roll-off dumpster rentals will also increase from $180 to $257. This includes $180 for the roll-off and $77 for the tipping fee at the landfill. Free roll-offs will continue to be available for groups of five neighbors, however.
Willett said that despite the increases, the city still has the some of the best rates in the area. Northglenn charges residents $16 for up to three trash barrels and one recycling bin. Comparatively, Thornton’s rates are $25.20 for three barrels and Longmont charges $45.60 for two barrels.
“Our trash collection service is always our highest rated in our residential surveys, and we’re very proud of that,” Willett said.