New Garbage and Recycling Program Begins October 3

E-Subscribe Alert Dear Neighbor: Bloomington is implementing organized garbage and recycling services, with an official starting date of October 3. Changes to service have already begun and, as can be expected with any change of service, some residents have had questions. We want to make sure you are aware of what is happening over the next six weeks or so. The purpose of this letter is to remind you what the new garbage and recycling program is, explain how the changes will affect you and provide contact information if you continue to have questions. New Garbage and Recycling Program Beginning October 3, all residential garbage and recycling collection will be coordinated through the City. The program reduces the number of garbage trucks on collection day, mitigates pollution, minimizes impacts on roadways and saves most households money. The licensed haulers currently serving Bloomington will continue to collect garbage and recycling, operating as Bloomington Haulers, LLC (Consortium). The Consortium of haulers is working together to create zones in which only one hauler will operate. This is how the program reduces the number of trucks driving through neighborhoods. The City is working with the Consortium to implement and manage the new program. The City will coordinate and bill services. Most importantly, we're all focused on providing excellent customer service. Garbage, Recycling and Yard Waste Cart Exchange Some residents will have a new hauler and a new cart. In preparation for the start of the October 3 service, the Consortium decided to begin exchanging container carts during the week of August 8. The cart exchange will continue through the end of September. During this eight-week process, haulers will exchange all types of carts with the same or similar cart sizes. There are different cart styles, however, you will generally receive a 32-35 (Small), 60-68 (Medium) or 90-96 (Large) gallon container. The Consortium will be cleaning, delivering and removing approximately 66,000 carts for approximately 22,000 households.  The cart exchange process and transition to the new service is managed and operated by the Bloomington Haulers, LLC. Haulers are now also collecting garbage and recycling in their newly assigned zones. If you have questions regarding service or the cart rollout process, contact your original hauler. Until you receive new carts, roll out your garbage, recycling and yard waste carts weekly, even if carts are empty, until the end of September. Have your carts out before 7 a.m. on your garbage day and leave them out until the end of the business day. Please note: Some haulers will exchange carts at the end of the business day. Some will exchange carts the following week. Leave your carts out until they are exchanged. Not all containers will be replaced on the same day or the same week.     Recycling collection Recycling collection will be subject to change during this eight-week process. All haulers are working on synchronizing the recycling collection week. If your recycling was not collected this week, it will be collected the following week. Excess materials If you have excess garbage, recycling or yard waste materials, place them next to your cart and have the containers accessible on your regular garbage day. The new hauler will collect these materials during the transition from August to September without extra costs.  All residents will receive a utility bill statement with information about the new hauler, container size and an information guide by mid-September. For more information, visit blm.mn/garbage. For program questions, contact Public Works Maintenance at 952-563-8760 or maintenance@BloomingtonMN.gov. For billing questions, contact Utility Billing at 952-563-8726 or utilitybilling@BloomingtonMN.gov. On behalf of the City Council and our City staff who are working to ensure a smooth transition, we appreciate your patience during the next few weeks. We are committed to serving you. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.   Thank you, James D. Verbrugge City Manager   A copy of this letter will be mailed to all residential households the week of August 22, 2016     Follow us online:      Facebook       Twitter       YouTube     Update preferences or unsubscribe here: Subscriber Preferences Page. Use your e-mail address to log in. Report problems to subscriberhelp@govdelivery.com. Send general inquiries to information@bloomingtonmn.gov. This service is provided to you at no charge by the City of Bloomington. This email was sent to vutunglampro@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: City of Bloomington · 1800 West Old Shakopee Road · Bloomington, MN 55431-3027 · 952-563-8700 · TTY 952-563-8740