Roll-out trash carts working well

Blacksburg officials expected little to no problems when they voted to purchase trash carts for every home in the town of nearly 1,900 people in hopes of cutting costs.

So far, so good.

According to the Blacksburg Public Works Department, there have been few problems as a result of the new "push-carts" being introduced a few months ago.

However, when the public works department director came before Blacksburg Town Council during a recent meeting, Roger Childers focused on those not following town policy in regard to trash pickup.

"Most people are doing what they are supposed to do in getting their trash to the road in a timely manner," Childers said, "but we have others who put their trash out late or have bags outside the cart and complain that their trash hasn't been picked up."

Town policy is that all homes wanting roadside service must place trash cans at the end of their driveway the night before pickup is scheduled and away from the street prior to sunset. The ordinance also, as a safety measure, prohibits garbage bags being outside of waste bins.

"We don't need anyone getting hurt as a result of being stabbed by a needle or a piece of glass," Childers said.

The public works director suggested council implement a fee of $25 in an effort to curb such behavior, but Hogue decided against such a measure — for now.

"I don't have a lot of pity for that as it takes me and my wife two to three weeks to fill our trash can," Hogue said. "But I think it's a little cruel to do that now, because everyone shouldn't pay for one person's forgetfulness...but it's an option if things don't improve.

"As of right now, we're just not going back out to pick up their trash if they don't follow the rules."

Holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving are excluded from the ordinance, as public works crews anticipate the likelihood of an overflow of trash during those times.

Households can purchase additional trash cans for $75, which may help keep them in compliance.