Metro Public Works announced today that it will move forward with a plan to modify waste collection routes in the Urban Services District, after Metro Council voted last night to approve a contract amendment between the city and Red River Waste Solutions. Trash will be picked up five days a week (Monday-Friday), rather than four days a week (Tuesday-Friday). This new schedule will go into effect on November 2, 2020.
The Public Works’ recycling program will also move to 5-day a week collection schedule, with pick-ups continuing to occur once monthly. As a result of waste and recycling route modifications, around 80% customers in the Urban Services District will experience changes to their collection schedule.
The reroute is the result of rapid growth in portions of Davidson County, as well as a recent pandemic-related uptick in household waste tonnage, causing more frequent trips to the waste transfer station for sanitation workers and later pickup times for customers.
“As Nashville grows, this change will give the department needed flexibility and enhance trash collection service quality,” said Shanna Whitelaw, Interim Public Works Director. “The increase in waste tonnage due to the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges that we believe can be addressed by rebalancing routes and making them more efficient.”
The changes come as part of a contract amendment process that was approved by Metro Council last night and are the result of months of conversations about how best to maintain quality service across the USD.
“When I filed Resolution RS2020-455, the ultimate intent was to bring all parties together to resolve the longstanding operational and contractual updates that were needed,” said Council Member Jeff Syracuse, District 15. “I’m very pleased to see these substantive changes and appreciate the hard work to help ensure neighbors across Davidson County who are serviced by Red River will ultimately see the benefit of this improved relationship.”
The department will be sending letters to all customers in the Urban Services District informing them of their weekly collection day for trash, and their monthly recycling collection day. In addition, the department is launching a tool for customers to check their collection day. Customers should visit: RouteChanges.Nashville.gov to see if their day has changed.
“I am hopeful that this means good changes for the Southeast,” said Council Member Antoinette Lee, District 33. “We have had trouble with our trash pickup for a while, leaving residents very frustrated. I am happy to know that positive changes are being made to the system.”
Residents with any questions are encouraged to first visit RouteChanges.Nashville.gov and if questions persist, contact hubNashville by visiting hub.nashville.gov or calling 311.
For more information on waste collection, visit: Metro Waste and Recycling