Published: July 14, 2008 04:41 pm      

Keeping the public informed

The city of Ada has began informing the public on the transition to polycarts and once-a-week trash collections. Much of the information has been released through the Ada Evening News or through city council meetings. Ada Public Information Officer Mark Bratcher said a video has been released for “Explore Ada” that is viewable on cable channel 11. The video is quite informative. Both Ada Mayor Barbara Young and Moore City Manager Steven Eddy appear on the video.

Eddy’s views are credible as Moore has already made the transition to the polycart system.

One concern expressed about the new polycart system is that eventually it will require new garbage trucks that are fully animated. Currently, the Ada sanitation department have modified the trucks already in use to simply lift the polycart and dump the refuse into the truck by only moving a few levers. This helps prevent back injuries for the sanitation workers and limits the exposure sanitation employees may have to hazardous material, such as hypodermic needles that are not disposed of properly.

Young said there are more workers compensation claims in the sanitation department than in any other department in the city. By transitioning to an automated system, injuries will be reduced.

Fuel costs will also be reduced by once-a-week collections. Rather than making the same route twice a week, the city will only make the route once. The polycarts are important for this because they can hold more trash. Rather than taking the garbage out twice a week, a resident can merely toss the garbage from inside the house into the polycart that sits beside the house or back door until collection day. Then, the cart can be wheeled to the curb the morning of collection. Once-a-week will also help in the transition to the “transfer station.” This will replace the current landfill situation, whose lifespan is estimated to be over in two to three years. Rather than building fourth landfill to serve Ada, the city will contract with a company to haul the garbage off to a remote landfill.

Some residents have also expressed concerns about not being able to handle the polycart. The city has a system in place to help those who are physically unable to take the garbage out. That system will remain in place. If a resident is unaware of this list and process, he needs to contact the city of Ada for further information on receiving assistance in handling garbage.

Also, businesses, including Apartment Complexes, will not be affected by the change.