Joplin residents to pay less for trash pickup, have recycling option

(From the City of Joplin)

Joplin residents will now be paying less for their trash service and also have the added curbside recycling service as an option to consider. Republic Services remains as the contractor for the residential trash service with a monthly rate of $11.73 per month for residents living in a single family dwelling or duplex. This is a $1.12 decrease from the current rate of $12.85. These new rates are effective April 1, and residents will see these changes in their May or June statements, due to the billing cycles.

The weekly trash service days will not change. Residents may still put out bulky items and properly prepared tree limbs next to their blue polycarts, but it is no longer necessary to call Republic Services to schedule the bulky item pickup.

Residents can now also opt for having their recycling items picked up at curbside for an additional $4.75 per month, bringing the monthly total to $16.48. Participating residents receive a 96-gallon polycart (that has a LIGHT BLUE lid to delineate from the trash cart’s royal blue lid) for disposing all acceptable items, (see list below.) Recycling will be serviced the same day as trash, but by a different truck at a different time. Curbside recycling pickup will start June 1, and residents must enroll in this program to participate. They can do so by calling 1-800-431-1507 or 1-800-627-1717.

The following items will be accepted in the curbside recycling program and placed co-mingled (mixed all together) in the light blue lid cart: Aluminum Cans, Trays & Foils; Steel, Tin, and empty Aerosols cans; Plastic #1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7 bottles and buckets; Paper and Newspapers; Cardboard and Chipboard. All items need to be clean, empty and dry, plus cardboard boxes need to be flattened.

Glass bottles, jars, or jugs are not be accepted as part of the curbside program, however, container glass will still be accepted at the Joplin Recycling Center located at 1310 W. A Street. The Recycling Center is open 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. For more information about the Joplin Recycling Center visit www.joplinrecycling.org.

The City is also contacting landlords, property owners and residents of apartment houses about a change in the residential trash contract that could affect their service. With the new contract, tenants and property owners with three or more living units will be released from the contract between the City and Republic Services. These facilities will move into a commercial grouping, and the City will no longer bill these tenants or property owners for trash service. Because of these changes, property owners will have to contract with a trash company of their choosing that is licensed and permitted to operate in Joplin. The City has mailed letters noting this change of service and provided a list of licensed trash companies with Joplin operation permits. If tenants and owners of multiplex units have questions about the trash service, please call the Recycling Division at 417-624-0820, ext. 501.

“This change helps to standardize residential trash service for one or two household units,” said MaryAnne Phillips, Recycling Coordinator.

For questions about curbside recycling or trash service, contact Republic at 1-800-431-1507 or 1-800-627-1717. If questions are about billing, please call the Finance Department at 417-627-2955.