Wednesday, June 25, 2008
News Atlanta recycling still weekly
Posted by Scott Henry @ScottTheHenry on Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 4:40 PM
One of the more bothersome consequences of having a $140 million budget shortfall is the need to cut public services to save money. Which ones, and by how much? One that was proposed – and all but certain – for the chopping block was weekly pick-up of recycling. The program was outsourced to a private company and city solons had decided that reducing the service to every other week was a good way to cut costs.
Well, it seems that new Public Works Commissioner Joe Basista has figured a way out of this looming tragedy. A recent memo to the Council from Public Works explains that the city will save $3 million by un-privatizing curbside recycling (take that free-market champions!) and that city workers will happily continue to pick up cans, bottles and newspapers every week.
Atlanta homeowners had already dodged a bullet when the Council decided against scrapping yard waste pick-up. If you need further info about trash, recycling or yard waste collection, go here.
Comments (3)
Showing 1-3 of 3
So a memo that mentions budget analysis by a government agency means that they will actually save money? Given the ability of government officials to negotiate contracts, I wouldn't be surprised. We also know that governments are wildly successful at accurately predicting expenditures and getting a good deal on stuff like computers, hammers and toilets....snuffle, snort, ha ha This is the same city that is $ 140 million in the hole? funny, no, really, you're funny
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"that the city will save $3 million by un-privatizing curbside recycling (take that free-market champions!)" This is a service that the city can actually make money on - the recyclables have some value. The recycling contract was practically given away in the past, and that revenue was lost. I think that "free-market champions" do not advocate making poor business decisions.
As a free market champion, I would like to say that a good business decision was made..... by the waste management company.... This is also why I advocate that more business minded people enter public service, rather than the endless stream of attorneys and "advocates".
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