Poll: Plymouth Considering Move to Once a Week Trash Collection

Plymouth Township is considering a switch from twice a week to once a week trash collection, although they want to hear input from the community first.

Council discussed the idea at Monday's workshop meeting, with several members saying it would be a beneficial move to the community.

"Numer one is the environmental impact," said district 1 councilman Dean Eisenberger. "If we stop running trucks for an additional day, it saves us money on fuel, it saves on environmental issues like pollutants, and it makes us a better player from that perspective."

Council members also said they hoped to dispel any rumors that the potential switch was an effort to privatize the sanitation department or layoff employees.

"It's not eliminating work, because we already can't keep up with the work we have," said chair Sheldon Simpson. " All it's doing is using the staff more effectively… and saving money in different areas."

Council said that if the switch were to occur, residents would have their trash and recycling collected on whatever their current recycling day is. Services such as bolt pickup and Wednesday yard work and holiday collection would remain the same, council said.

Judy Macafee, President of the Highfield Farms Civic Association, was also present after conducting an informal survey of residents. She said that of 60 responders, 38 were comfortable with such a switch, 19 were against, and 3 were undecided.

Council also asked staff to post a survey to the township's homepage in coming weeks, along with requests for comments and questions. The township hopes to gather input before council officially decides on the matter in September.

Would you be OK with the move to once a week trash collection? Vote in our poll and tell us why or why not in the comments.