Thank you for your interest and feedback in this survey. In response to questions that came up in the survey, our Environmental Services team put the following FAQ together:
FAQ
What are the benefits of an automated collection program?
Automated collection would provide residents with larger, easy to roll carts, which removes the heavy lifting on garbage day. Other benefits include:
- Less potential for weather related collection delays caused by collection crews struggling in extreme weather.
- Reduces problems related to cart/lid placement post-collection.
- Reduces litter at curbside as carts are sturdier, less prone to tipping over, the lids are also heavier and attached to the lid therefore less likely to blow open in the wind.
- Reduces the potential for worker injury compared to manual collection.
- Broadens the pool of contractors willing to bid on the curbside collection contract. Some are no longer willing to collect waste manually due to the increased potential for worker injury and staff burnout leading to higher staff turnover.
- Improvement of curbside aesthetics by presenting a cleaner and more uniform appearance through consistent cart styles.
- Increased efficiency using onboard truck software and cart tracking capability.
Why aren’t more details on the potential service being provided to residents?
The survey aims to offer residents an avenue to engage and offer input on the potential implementation of automated collection, which will play a crucial role in shaping the development of the Request for Proposal (RFP). Additional details are not available at this initial step in the process.
What would the additional cost of switching to automated collection be?
The determination of any additional costs will be a part of the RFP process. There are many variables involved that would affect the final cost and it is not possible to know before the competitive bid process has been completed.
Once a contract is awarded, and specifics are finalized, the City of Mission will diligently assess how these potential costs may impact residents. The decision on whether and how to translate these costs to residents will be made by Council, keeping in mind the responsibility to make informed decisions that benefit the community.
Will the current collection zone be expanded?
Extending the current collection area may be considered through the RFP process, however, would require additional review of current and future growth in these areas and would be a Council decision. Currently those outside of the collection area can hire their own private service provider for waste and recycling collection.
What company would be contracted to provide collection?
The company will be chosen through the competitive bid process, the successful bidder will not be known until the RFP has been awarded.
Will a change in service result in job loss?
Automated collection still requires staffing to operate and maintain trucks the staffing requirements between automated, manual, or semi-automated would be negligible.
How do EOI (Expression of Interest) and feedback work together to get ready for a competitive RFP (Request for Proposal) process?
The expression of interest (EOI) is to discern current market conditions and to gauge interest from proponents on the upcoming contract as it moves forward. This EOI intends to determine interest in providing either manual, semi-automated, or fully automated waste collection and estimated timelines in advance of a competitive bidding process on the next contract.
Like the survey, the EOI will provide valuable information that will help guide the development of the request for proposal ( RFP).