Jennings moves forward on new trash collection contract

The city council cleared the way Tuesday for a new company to take over the city’s trash collection in September with only minor changes in service.

The council unanimously authorized Mayor Henry Guinn to execute a new 10-year contract with Waste Connections Bayou, Inc. beginning Sept. 1

“Our contract with Republic Services is expiring effective Sept. 1 and we need this contract in place and signed as quickly as possible so that Waste Connections can order their automated trash trucks,” Guinn said.

Republic Services has handled the city’s trash collection for the past several years.

Under the agreement, Waste Connections will continue to provide weekly trash collection with all routes and schedules remaining the same, according to Waste Connections Bayou District Market Development Manager Jamie Gilbert.

The most notable change in service will be the frequency of white goods and vegetative waste pick up which will shift from weekly to every other week.

Waste Connections is in the process of trying to acquire the trash cans already being used by residents from Republic Services. If successful, residents would keep the cans they already use, Gilbert said.

Waste Connections has a “Plan B” in place, including a place to store the trash cans, if the negotiations fall through, he said.

Either way, he assured the city Waste Connections will have trash cans in place by Sept. 1.

If Republic Services does not agree to sell their cans to Waste Connections, Republic Services will begin picking up their trash cans on Aug. 29. As those cans are picked up, Waste Connections would begin setting out their cans, Guinn said.

“In theory it is not really a bad thing if the two parties don’t come to an agreement because it will help the City of Jennings reassess the trash can count, so we will know exactly how many trash cans should be at a residence and have it broken down by route,” Guinn said.

The city currently has about 4,500 trash cans with some residents having multiple cans, he said.

Prior to the transition, the city will utilize its utility billing department to send notices to residents informing them that they will be picking up trash cans, if it is needed, he said.

Among the perks being offered by Waste Connections as part of the new contract is a local call center with five employees to handle issues with the service.

Consumers will also have 24/7 access to a customized app and social media sites which will provide information on pick-up days and any delays caused by road closures or holidays.

Waste Connections currently provides trash pick up in unincorporated areas of Jeff Davis Parish. It also has contracts with St. Martin, Iberia, Acadia and Vermilion parishes.