Dallas city leaders are considering big restrictions on bulk trash collection after research showed other cities collect far less bulky trash.
On average, Dallas households put more than 1,400 pounds of bulk trash on the curb for city pick up each year. The city of Fort Worth picks up less than half that amount from each household, less than 600 pounds.
Some Dallas neighbors say the monthly curbside bulk trash collection makes Dallas neighborhoods look trashy.
“And sometimes it sits there for over a week,” said resident Miguel Rojas. “Sometimes they’re late a couple of days, so it makes it stay longer.”
Hazardous waste and tires are among the few things Dallas refuses to pick up in bulk trash collection. The city of Dallas has no volume limit for monthly bulk trash, so the limbs of an entire tree may be left at the curb.
Junkman Bobby Kelly said he relies on the metal items people discard along Dallas streets. He figures he is helping neighbors and the city.
“We’re helping people by taking some of this stuff off their hands and lighten up their loads,” Kelly said.
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Changes would not help Kelly. He receives only $3 per 100 pounds now selling that scrap metal to put food on the table.
“What’s that old saying? One man’s junk is another man’s treasure,” said Kelly. ”It’s for me, absolutely.”
But Monday, Dallas City Council members received a briefing with options to reduce the frequency and volume of bulk trash collection. A consultant calculated potential savings in city manpower and equipment.
Next month, a City Council committee will be asked to choose among the options for testing in limited neighborhoods before possibly making a citywide bulk trash change in the future.
Some neighbors may be forced to pay trimmers for tree pick up and find other ways to get rid of other items Dallas now picks up for free. Miguel Rojas said it would be an improvement.
“I think it’s the best thing we can do,” he said.
Rojas said people would get used to the change, as they did with the Dallas switch a few years ago to once a week garbage collection instead of twice a week.
“Once a week, we’re fine,” he said.