The City of Des Moines in a Memo dated October 1, 2011 announced a change in the solid waste company from Allied Waste to CleanScapes, who apparently won a competitive bidding process.

During this time I’ve researched the level of service to be provided by each firm that is as follows:

Please download the link (upper right hand side of the letter)for Mr. Kennedy's findings

I really do not know who negotiated this contract for the city of Des Moines but if CleanScapes won the contract it lacks any cost savings for the customer so one would wonder where is the value? Plus AW keeps this process simple in that garbage is garbage and no distinction or requirement for the customer to “sort” food scraps and shredded paper to languish in a virtually empty yard waste container waiting the two-week cycle and especially during the dormant season.

This strikes me as an open invitation or attraction for numerous rodents as covenants in most developments require the owner to locate their solid waste containers out-of sight from the roads or sidewalks Also, AW allowed you to close off this service during the dormant season and were very accommodating to the handicapped.

In fairness to CleanScapes they are trying to satisfy their new clients, but apparently did not realize that Des Moines has a population profile with a relative age of almost 40 years whereas the State of WA has a relative average age of 35.

So with a relatively older population using the larger 96-gallon container that lend themselves to mechanized pick up versus hands on does not work well for a large majority of our population.

Gary L Kennedy
Des Moines

Response from the City of Des Moines:

Clarifications on new Des Moines garbage contract
(Editor’s Note: Mr. Kennedy received the following reply to his letter from city of Des Moines staffer Laura Techico)

Mr. Kennedy,

Thank you for forwarding your concerns to me. I have provided some additional information and corrected some inaccuracies in the information that you have stated below. Feel free to contact me with further questions or clarifications. I want to ensure that Des Moines residents are well educated on the new services and have accurate information on which to base their subscription decisions.

Garbage: The rate quoted for a 20-gallon can below for Allied Waste appears to be from a fee schedule for the City of Kent customers, not the City of Des Moines (you cite www.alliedwastekent.com as your source). Currently, Allied charges $14.56 (13.99 service + .57 can rental) for this service for Des Moines customers. Thus, the$ 12.92 under the contract with CleanScapes would be a cost savings. The complete fee schedule for Des Moines customers under the current Allied Waste contract may be found at http://rabanco.com/collection/des_moines/residential/rates.aspx.

Recycle: Is included for no extra charge for residential garbage customers under both the old and new contracts as you have indicated.

Yard Waste: This service is not currently included in the garbage rate as you have indicated below.

Allied Waste charges $9.80 (7.96 service + 1.84 rental) per month. CleanScapes’ rate is $8.13 as you state below. This is for a maximum of 192 gallons of material rather than the 320 gallon maximum collected under the current contract. However, collections of yard waste/compostables will occur every other week year-round under the new contract. Increasing the frequency of collections throughout the winter months (Dec-Feb) will help to alleviate the pest problems you mention below as will the lidded carts. Compostables/kitchen waste makes up a large percentage of the average household’s waste stream. Diverting these materials may enable some customers to reduce their garbage cart size and rates. If the default 96-gal container is too large, customers may request a smaller wheeled cart from CleanScapes that still works with the automated collection system and they will still be able to put out the maximum of 192 gallons with the additional material in either personal cans or yard bags as needed.

Laura Techico
Land Use Planner
City of Des Moines, Development Services Division