Lexington County Takes Action to Address Ongoing Trash Collection Problems

Lexington County Tackles Long-Standing Trash Collection Issues

Lexington County has been facing a myriad of problems with trash collection for quite some time now, and it seems like some major changes are on the horizon. This past Tuesday, the Lexington County Council took a significant step by voting to establish a special tax district that will cover all unincorporated areas outside the county’s towns and cities. Why? To ensure everyone has access to reliable waste collection services.

The Situation So Far

Residents, especially those in the rural areas, have expressed their frustrations about the current trash services. Many have voiced concerns about issues like inconsistent pick-up days and missed yard waste collections. Lexington County Administrator Lynn Sturkie updated the council about an ongoing conundrum during a committee meeting on September 17. He mentioned that his office had received countless complaints regarding the current waste management vendor. In August alone, the Solid Waste Department tallied up an astounding 280 complaints.

According to Solid Waste Director Lee McIntyre, the most common complaints are about inconsistent pick-up schedules, with many residents noting that their trash isn’t collected on the same day each week. To make matters worse, there are reports of yard waste pickup being neglected, with some residents waiting up to six weeks for their waste to be collected. Instead of ensuring all residents’ waste gets picked up regularly, it seems like only those who complain get attention.

What’s Being Proposed

In response to these ongoing challenges, the new proposal aims to create a publicly-funded waste collection program that encompasses all county residents. The hope is that by investing in a county-managed solution, residents may notice a significant improvement in waste collection services. However, this plan isn’t without its share of critics, particularly from rural residents who are hesitant to pay for what they perceive as unnecessary curbside collections.

Councilman Darrell Hudson even joked about the increase in complaints directed to McIntyre’s office, saying, “I got tired of taking trash complaints so I gave them your number.” It seems residents are tired of the lack of consistency and service from their current trash haulers, and tensions are starting to boil over.

One major factor contributing to these problems is the limited availability of trucks. The vendor has reportedly been renting trucks to handle some routes. Back in 2021, the council explored the idea of a countywide program but ultimately decided against it. At that time, the county solid waste department estimated the cost of this program to be around $258 a year per household.

Comparing Neighboring Counties

While the council looks for viable options, they’ve done some research into how other counties are handling their waste management. For example, Richland County, which is right next door, has a comprehensive waste collection system, and it costs residents around $368 annually. Smaller counties like Marion and Marlboro charge households about $228 and $235, respectively, for similar services.

The real question is whether this new charge will entice those residents who don’t currently use curbside collection. Councilwoman Charli Wessinger pointed out that even the lower charges would be significantly more than what many residents are currently paying, while Chairwoman Beth Carrigg reminded everyone that some folks can’t just simply “burn it” in their yards.

Moving Forward

Despite the pushbacks, the county officials are keen on finding a robust long-term solution for the trash woes that plague the county. In fact, they estimate that if the curbside collection is implemented successfully, the county could save at least $2.5 million annually by potentially reducing operations at their existing collection sites.

As of now, the council has given initial approval to the countywide program, but details—including the exact costs—are still being worked out. The council is planning to hold a public hearing soon so that local residents can share their thoughts and concerns. Councilman Todd Cullum expressed the importance of hearing public input, stating, “We haven’t heard from them in a public setting.”

The council’s motion passed with a vote of 5-2, indicating that while change is on the way, it will be a journey filled with discussions and input from the community.

We can only sit back and watch to see how this all unfolds, but one thing’s for certain: the waste management saga in Lexington County is about to take a new turn!