Knox residents can weigh in on their choice of recycling container by either contacting city hall or returning the insert included with their water bills. The city council is contemplating a switch from the open totes that are picked up weekly to a 65-gallon wheeled container with a lid. Waste Management would supply them for free and collect recycling every other week. Residents would not incur an additional cost.
Mayor Dennis Estok says the city is considering the change as part of a two-year contract extension with Waste Management for trash and recycling pickup. The current contract expires July 1st, and the mayor says it’s too late to get bids from other vendors this year. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston says he’s received very few complaints about the service Waste Management provides.
The larger container will be placed outside Knox City Hall during business hours so residents can view it. City council members note it would have to be stored in a garage or back yard and wheeled to the curb on recycling pickup days.
The open totes are problematic on windy days, as papers and other loose items blow out.
