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Walker: Mass Delivery Of Recycling Cans This Weekend, ECUA Made Mistakes

The ECUA will make a mass attempt to deliver as many recyclables containers as possible this weekend, and one board member admits that ECUA made have made some mistakes in its new trash program.

The ECUA recyclables container delivery contractor will have seven trucks working on Saturday and Sunday, and ECUA will add three of their trucks into the delivery effort, according to Larry Walker, ECUA District 5 board member. Over 2,400 containers have been delivered so far, Walker said, including deliveries on 36 roads in North Escambia. He said deliveries have been made on Pineville Road, Rockaway Creek Road, Highway 4, Highway 186 and Barrineau Park School Road.

Deliveries to former Allied Waste customers was further complicated and delayed by a delay in getting customer account data transferred from Allied to ECUA. Cans were delivered in North Escambia January 2-3, Walker said, adding that the deliveries actually began in North Escambia and moved south.

Walker admits that ECUA has made a mistake by trying to take over the Allied Waste residential service in North Escambia and implementing recycling program at the same time.

“ECUA is guilty of trying to do too much too quickly and all at the same time.  In retrospect, it appears to me that ECUA should have absorbed the Allied area first, then initiated the recycling program and the changes in the service program.  We also should have done more effective public information efforts.  I agree that ECUA has made a mess out of the transitions in garbage service.  I do believe, though, that ECUA will made rapid progress in getting the program on a sound footing.”

ECUA has said that their phone lines have been overwhelmed since the changeover, both with customers with service questions and with those wishing to sign-up for recycling service. They implemented improved contact methods, including email. and extended customer service phone hours. That contact information is at the bottom of this article.

Walker spent about 15 hours in North Escambia last Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. He made stops at Cooper’s Store in Bratt, Harold Holder’s store in Molino, Frans Diner and Webbs Diner in Molino, Cole’s Barber Shop and the Davisville General Store. Along the way, he met with residents that shared their questions and concerns about ECUA’s service.

Some of those concerns Walker addressed in an email to NorthEscambia.com:

• Recycling will not be made mandatory.  The current approach appears to be stimulating widespread participation.  The signup for recycling has exceeded expectations, and hundreds of households that were not Allied customers have signed up for ECUA service.
• There is not a 50 percent reduction in service if a customer accepts the recycling service.  With the recycling pickup included, there will be two cans picked up each week, just as now.  The route will be run three times weekly, once by the garbage truck, once by the recycling truck, and once by the yard-debris truck.  Consequently, there will be no reduction in operating costs.
•  The minor rate reduction that has been offered (from $19.62 to $17.99)is the result of the fact that ECUA expects to sell the collected recyclables to a private-company buyer.  The revenue from those sales, it is projected, will permit the $1.63 rate reduction.
• If ECUA had simply continued two regular garbage pickups, no rate reduction would have been possible.  In these hard times, every penny counts, as so many people have said to me recently.  ECUA is responding by finding the one way that it is possible to reduce the charge for garbage service, namely, by collecting recyclables separately and selling them for revenue.
• Many people have told me that ECUA is sucking people in with the $17.99 price and will raise the price a few months later.  In fact, that may happen, but it will not be because of trickery on ECUA’s part.  Rather, the danger is that the revenue from the sale of recyclables will be less than expected, which will force a rate increase.  I have read in the New York Times that recyclables markets are collapsing, as part of the broader recession.
• The Seniors rate may be obtained by any customer who is 65 or older.  Apply for the Seniors rate and provide name, address, and telephone number.

 ECUA is asking customers with Internet access to sign up for the voluntary curbside recycling program in one of the following ways:

• email support@ecua.org with your name, address and daytime phone number, along with the desired recycling container size — 40, 64 or 90 gallon.
• visit ecua.org and download a form located on the “Sanitation Services” page. That form can be faxed or mailed to the ECUA.
• phone lines hours have been extended to 7 p.m. “for as long as necessary”.

The new trash, recycling and yard waste pick-up day in all of North Escambia is Tuesday, except for those still served by Allied Waste in the Town of Century.
If else fails, or if you have other concerns, Walker said he welcomes your email at larry@larrywalker.com or your call at 723-6094.