MARCH 2024
RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government
Waste Management’s New Overfill Policy
By Mayor Trent Staggs and Council Member Troy McDougal Waste Management is introducing a new policy addressing the overfilling of garbage cans so that lids cannot close. As Mayor and a city Councilmember, we want to articulate together the city’s perspective on this topic and answer the various questions that have been raised.
from closing because of waste that extends beyond the edge of the can opening. Beginning this April, residents may be fined $5 from Waste Management each time their garbage cans are filled to exceed capacity when their trucks stop to pick up waste.
Waste Management’s smart truck cameras are equipped with the ability to distinguish between when a lid cannot close due to excess waste and when a lid could close but is being propped up due to an errant piece of waste, or if the wind pushed open the lid.
The goal of this policy is to correct egregious violations, not incidental occurrences. Below are photos from Waste Management that give examples of unacceptable overfilling of garbage and recycling cans.
Review Process: How fines will be assessed
If the Waste Management smart truck cameras determine that a resident is in violation, both Waste Management and Riverton City staff must agree before the fine is levied. A photo of the violation will be emailed (if available) to the resident, and the resident may contact either Waste Management or Riverton City’s utility billing office to appeal the fine.
We will also discuss which materials can be placed in your recycling can. And lastly, we want to inform you of our thoughts on whether the city should continue to participate in Waste Management’s recycling program. Dispelling Rumors: Fines for Wind Opening Garbage Can Lids
The Riverton City utility billing office phone number is 801-2083133. Riverton City staff will be the residents’ advocate in reasonable dispuites with Waste Management.
Unfortunately, an erroneous news report on Waste Management’s new overfilling policy has spread incorrect information. Let us be very clear: no one will be fined because wind pushed open their garbage can lid. We have expressed our disappointment with that news organization, and we encourage all to dispel this rumor. Waste Management’s concern is garbage can lids that cannot close due to an excess of waste piled up in residents’ garbage cans. Garbage can lids should not be prevented
Riverton City has discussed at length with Waste Management how fines will be assessed. We have agreed to a process that will be fair and give residents ample opportunity to voice their concerns.
Riverton’s sanitation portion of utility fees are among the lowest in the valley. We work hard to negotiate great rates for our residents. Additionally, each year the city subsidizes the real cost of trash collection to each resident by using city-wide sales tax revenue. Examples of inproperly filled garbage and recycling cans.
RIVERTON REVIEW | MARCH 2024
If residents find that they need an additional garbage can, please call
Riverton City utility billing to order one. Recycling: Do’s and Don’ts Waste Management tells us that Riverton City has a high rate of recycling contamination. This means that nonrecyclable material placed in resident recycling cans are spoiling the collection. Over one in every four recycling collection efforts are contaminated. Too many of our residents are “wish-cycling.” A term that refers to residents’ best intentions and hopes that items can be recycled but it is not. Sometimes an item may have a recycling symbol on it and not be recyclable in our area. Below is a list of materials that Waste Management sees the most of in our residents’ recycling cans that are not recyclable through their program. NOT Recyclable in Riverton Recycling Cans • No Wood: Especially large portions of wood, 2x4s, or sheets of plywood • No Glass: Riverton City has a free glass recycling bin located at 13400 S on 4050 W, east of the Maverik and South Hills Middle School and west of Holiday Oil. • No Clothing • No Household non-recycle materials (plastic toys, cardboard with wrapping paper on it, etc.) • No Diapers - continued on page 2 -
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