Athens garbage service rates are going up. The question is by how much

By: Emma Dollenmayer
Posted on: Friday, February 17, 2023

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens residents will pay more for their garbage service starting in July, but just how much more depends on which bid the City Council chooses. 

The city received two bids, one from the company that currently has the contract, Athens Hocking Recycling Center, and the other from Rumpke, based in the Cincinnati area. 

AHRC’s bid was significantly higher than Rumpke’s — $1.7 million more over four years.

Under AHRC’s garbage service proposal, residents paying the two-can rate would see a $6.84 increase per month in their garbage bill, an overall 37% hike, according to a summary prepared by Council Member Alan Swank. Over four years, this would cost residents an additional $311.04. Uptown businesses would also see a 37% increase in their monthly bill. 

Under Rumpke’s garbage service proposal, residents paying the two-can rate would see a $1.59 increase per month, an overall 7% hike. Over the four years, this would cost residents an additional $76.32. Uptown businesses would see a 10% increase. 

Swank, who represents the Fourth Ward, and Council Member Samuel Crowl, the Third Ward representative, have been working closely with city administration to review the bids.

Despite the higher costs, Crowl and 13 of the 14 community members who spoke at Monday’s City Council meeting, believe the increase in price is worth the service AHRC has provided the city for several decades. 

“When we asked for bidders for the solid waste and recycling contract, we asked them to look at both operational and sustainability goals,” Crowl said. “So there were two sort of main pieces: Please show us that you can actually do the service, and show us how you’re going to help us to continue to manage waste sustainably. One of the bids did both of those things. The other one did not focus on sustainability and being a partner within the city of Athens. That’s why I suggested that AHRC was the best bid.”

Crowl suggested that because of AHRC’s detailed plan on how the company would improve sustainability efforts, work toward achieving zero waste and continue to partner with local nonprofits such as Rural Action and Habitat for Humanity, that Rumpke’s bid be entirely thrown out.

Crowl said these efforts include AHRC’s curbside composting service and its dedication to diverting items from the landfill, for example, by recycling and composting items left outside during move-out and Halloween weekends.

Swank noted, though, that Rumpke stated in its bid that it would also provide curbside composting, and at a lower cost — $95,612.52 over four years versus $132,751.92. Rumpke would take the composting to AHRC’s facility in addition to providing extra dumpsters and workers on the move-out and Halloween weekends. 

“I think most people are going to prioritize cost,” Swank said. “That doesn’t mean sustainability is not important, but I think that any of the large companies or any of the companies that have been around for a while, can still help with our sustainability efforts.”  

Still, Swank said he is torn on what the best garbage service option is.

“What I’m having trouble with is balancing a company that has done a very, very great job … or a company that is 1.7 million dollars less. That’s taxpayer money — money that can be used that can let kids play sports, put food on the table, or just simply pay the bills,” Swank said. 

Swank noted that many Athens County residents live at or below the poverty line, and any increase in bills could be detrimental. 

“One speaker today talked about the percentage of Athens residents that live in poverty,” Swank said. “I think that’s a good starting point. Who is this really going to affect?”

Crowl argued that to some extent, increased costs are necessary to move forward in a sustainable society. 

“I don’t ever want to raise prices,” Crowl said. “I mean if that was an option, if I could just say no, no, no price raises for anything. But that’s not sustainable. And it’s not the way that any government can kind of run.” 

He said if a community doesn’t focus on sustainability now, poorer people will be more impacted by climate change because they won’t have the resources to adapt to it. 

“So we do have to keep that in mind,” Crowl said. “It’s not just the costs today, but it’s the costs over the long term.” 

Swank said some middle ground could be effective, where the city could utilize the services of both AHRC and Rumpke. 

A split-contract option is on the table, he said, with one possibility being where Rumpke handles the uptown businesses and AHRC the residential homes, and another where Rumpke would handle landfill and AHRC recycling. 

The City Council will discuss the issue again in committee in two weeks, then it will go to the full council for three readings and a final vote on the winning bidder.