The City of Vestavia Hills sanitation contract was recently put out for bid. AmWaste appears to be the low bidder and has proposed a number of options for Council consideration. Residents may comment or ask questions on this topic for response from the City.

Please review the following proposed plan options and comment on this topic if you have questions or need clarification. Residents are also invited to participate in a community engagement meeting via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4555343275) on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at noon or Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 5:30pm.

AmWaste provided multiple options for sanitation service, with each varying by frequency of collection for household waste and recycling. The budget impact as compared to the current 2020 budget is included for each option. These proposed options (see below) are being explored in an effort to reduce the budgeted cost for sanitation services, with the goal of hiring nine additional public safety personnel (plus equipment) – six police officers and three fire personnel – to increase response times throughout Vestavia Hills. Without a savings of approximately $665,000 or more, the City’s annual budget will not allow for the hiring of nine additional public safety personnel in any given calendar year.

ALL recycling options include processing at RePower South (up to our current annual average of 1,700 tons). At the RePower site in Montgomery, bagged and loose waste enters a system of sorters, with 70% being repurposed as either a sold commodity (cardboard, plastic, etc.) or converted to Feedstock “ReEF” fuel – a replacement for coal in industrial and utility boilers. An overview of the RePower South sorting process is available online at https://www.repowersouth.com/resources. Click on the “RePower Montgomery” video.

AmWaste will collect and replace existing carts. Each household may receive up to 3 full-size trash carts at no charge. Additional carts may be purchased for a nominal fee.

• OPTION A: Waste collection twice per week, plus separated recycling once per week (continuation of existing service) = $235,150 additional
• OPTION B: Waste collection twice per week, plus separated recycling twice per month = $55,402 additional
• OPTION C: Waste collection once per week, plus separated recycling once per week = $163,801 savings
• OPTION D: Waste collection twice per week, with on-demand* recycling = $270,480 savings
• OPTION E: Waste collection once per week, with on-demand* recycling = $1,011,390 savings
• OPTION F: Waste and recycling combined and collected in the same trash cart once per week = $773,188 savings. With this option, recycling will still occur, but all household waste would be deposited into the same trash cart – no need to separate recyclables.
• OPTION G: Waste and recycling collected in the same trash cart twice per week = $32,278 savings

*On-demand recycling service is billed directly to the customer at $8.50 per month.

What stays the same?

• The option to recycle is not being eliminated, but may function differently.
• Bulk debris/waste pick-ups would remain as is – service requested via the Action Center and pickup to occur within 10 business days. Small debris (small limbs, bagged leaves and grass clippings, etc.) would continue to be collected with household trash in small amounts.
• Backdoor service would remain as is.

Enhanced customer service/service tracking features:

• All AmWaste trucks are equipped with GPS trackers that provide real-time, as well as historical location data and speed data.
• All trucks are equipped with front, rear and in-cab cameras to assist in resolving damage/accident claims, deterring distracted driving, etc.
• AmWaste prides itself on providing exemplary customer service and their references confirmed – all references provided positive endorsements regarding overall program and customer service.