UPDATED City Correction: Garbage And Recycling Rates To Increase March 1

CORRECTION FROM CITY OF SAN MARCOS

Garbage And Recycling Rates To Increase March 1

Editors Note: We would love your feedback on this issue. We find it strange to have your Garbage Carts getting smaller AND then receiving a rate hike.

City to Add Green Waste Cart this Fall

The City of San Marcos will raise residential garbage and recycling rates by $1.85 per month for single-family homes and 85 cents per month for multi-family customers effective March 1 to cover increasing contractual and program costs.  

This will be the first rate increase since February 2013. The City Council approved the new rates during the Feb. 3 regular meeting. 

The rates cover curbside garbage and recycling pickup, household hazardous waste drop-off, community cleanup, brushy waste drop-off, bulk waste pickup, and other service and educational programs that keep our community beautiful. 

Along with the rate increase, City Council approved the addition of a green waste cart for yard waste, soiled paper, non-meat food waste and other compostable materials to single-family customers. 

The carts will be distributed beginning late summer and at the same time, Texas Disposal Systems will exchange the current 96-gallon trash carts for 65-gallon carts.  Those wishing to keep their 96-gallon trash cart and pay an extra service fee should contact Amy Kirwin at 512.393.8407 or akirwin@sanmarcostx.gov. 

“With the addition of the green waste cart, customers will gain 65 gallons’ worth of new service capacity,” said Solid Waste Coordinator Amy Kirwin. “By using their recycling and green waste carts along with all the Municipal Solid Waste programs, residents can divert waste from the landfill and help the City control service costs. Diverting more material from the landfill helps minimize rate increases in the future as landfill space becomes less available in our rapidly growing region.”

In September, the City Council will adopt the next fiscal year’s Municipal Solid Waste program rates and align the rate structure with the fiscal year, eliminating the need for future mid-year rate adjustments. 

For more information, contact Amy Kirwin at 512.393.8407, akirwin@sanmarcostx.gov or visit their website.