Agreement paves the way for new services.

The Boise City Council approved a new 10-year garbage and recycling franchise agreement with Allied Waste during The december 2, 2008 Council meeting.

The agreement is the first step toward enhanced trash collection and recycling programs. The City and Allied are working out details on automated trash collection and “commingled” curbside recycling. Boise will be the first city in the Treasure Valley to provide both trash and recycling at the curb using wheeled carts.

Details of the programs will be developed over the next several months with citizen input. The community wide public education and outreach effort is expected to begin this spring with the rollout of the new programs expected this summer.

“This new agreement will benefit all households by allowing them to recycle in an easier and more efficient manner,” Mayor David Bieter said. “Eliminating the need to separate recyclables will lead to less confusion, higher participation in the program, and a greener, more sustainable Boise.”

Automated collection increases productivity, safety and efficiency for trash haulers. Residents will roll wheeled cart containers to the curb that will be dumped by automated trucks. Commingled recycling will allow residents to place all recyclable materials (no glass) in a single blue cart. No more separating materials! This is expected to significantly increase the City’s recycling rate.

Automated collection and commingled recycling were recommendations made last year in the citizen-developed long term Solid Waste Strategic Plan.

Allied Waste is also purchasing a new fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks for residential collection as part of the agreement. The use of CNG trucks aligns with the City’s strategic plan as it relates to climate protection and air quality improvements. CNG Fuel reduces the need to import foreign oil, is less costly; and the new, low emission CNG engines meet the 2010 standards.

Other items in the agreement are continued services like free bulky waste/appliance and motor oil pickup, ‘Recycle the Fall’ leaf collection and Christmas tree recycling.

For more information about Allied Waste call Rachele Klein at 685-7739 or 283-0624.