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Providence City Council Faces Urgent Deadline on Waste Management Contract

City council members discussing waste management strategies.

News Summary

The Providence City Council is under pressure to approve a $57.6 million waste management contract with Waste Management of Rhode Island by July 1. Discussion continues around proposed amendments aimed at cost savings and improved services, as the city grapples with low recycling rates and landfill costs. City officials are exploring changes to waste collection services and seeking community education initiatives to improve waste management strategies.

Providence City Council Faces Deadline on $57.6 Million Waste Management Contract

Providence city leaders are under pressure to approve a $57.6 million waste management contract with Waste Management of Rhode Island before the looming deadline of July 1. Failure to ratify the contract could leave the city without a waste management provider, an essential service for its residents.

In recent discussions, the Providence City Council’s Finance Committee reviewed the proposed contract but opted not to recommend its outright approval. Instead, it referred the five-year contract to the full council for further examination, signifying the urgency of the matter.

During an upcoming meeting, city councilors intend to discuss a resolution aimed at proposing amendments to the contract. Several changes are on the table, including the elimination of services related to yard waste, Christmas trees, bulky items, and large electrical appliances. If adopted, these amendments could save the city approximately $8.3 million in costs associated with waste management.

The current contract includes provisions for 37 weeks of yard waste services and three weeks of Christmas tree pickups, expected to cost nearly $1.5 million in the upcoming fiscal year. Under the proposed agreement, residents will incur charges for bulky item pickups on a per-item basis, a shift from the current policy where no fees are required for these services except for mattresses.

Changes Planned by Waste Management

To improve service efficiency, Waste Management plans to replace five garbage trucks to ensure their fleet is less than ten years old. The company will also implement advanced technology that will enable better monitoring of recycling compliance among residents.

Providence’s Waste Management Challenges

Providence officials are looking to enhance the city’s waste management strategies after facing challenges related to a low diversion rate of 8.3% in 2023, significantly lower than the statewide average of 29.3%. The city’s struggles are indicative of broader issues, including inadequate recycling and composting infrastructure that have led to pressing financial burdens associated with landfill dumping.

Mayor Brett Smiley recently announced a new plan backed by $255,850 in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aimed at various waste management initiatives, including composting programs. Groundwork Rhode Island has received funding to bolster the city’s food waste drop-off network, while Zero Waste Providence will focus on community education regarding waste management practices.

In addition, the Rhode Island School Recycling Project was allocated over $70,000 to support efforts to reduce food waste in schools through educational curricula, highlighting the city’s initiative to integrate waste reduction education into local institutions.

Looking Ahead

City officials are also addressing the issue of trash and recycling cart sizes, noting that the current 65-gallon residential carts may not be sufficient for many households. This adjustment comes as part of a broader strategy to enhance waste management efficiency.

As the Central Landfill in Rhode Island is projected to reach capacity by 2046 at present disposal rates, and with Providence being the largest contributor to landfill waste, the urgency for effective waste management solutions becomes increasingly critical. In fiscal year 2020 alone, the city incurred $1.2 million in landfill costs for waste that was potentially compostable, illustrating the significant financial impact of ongoing waste mismanagement.

There is a growing recognition among city officials regarding the necessity for policy reforms and stronger community leadership to achieve impactful progress in waste management.

The full city council meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Council chambers at Providence City Hall, where these pivotal discussions will continue.