After over a $3 million investment the City of Simpsonville will begin collecting garbage in city-owned trash trucks. All residential properties in the city will receive a new trashcan and will have their trash picked up by city employees. On the downside, recycling will be discontinued in Simpsonville. There are presently no home pick-up options for recycling in the city of Simpsonville, but there are outside companies interested in providing this service. According to the Simpsonville website, you can continue recycling on your own. You can drop off recyclables at the following local recycling centers: City Park: 405 E. Curtis St., Simpsonville Residential Waste & Recycling Center: 517 Hipps Road, Simpsonville Brookwood Church: 580 Brookwood Pointe Place, Simpsonville Fountain Inn Elementary School: 608 Fairview St., Fountain Inn Conestee Park: 840 Mauldin Road, Mauldin Public Works (operational in September): 110 Woodside Park Drive, Simpsonville

The decision to not renew their contract with Ace/Meridian came after several council work sessions and meetings during the last two years. The bulk of the money to purchase the new garbage trucks came from the increased public works fee that is been added to all property owners in the city. Both residential and business properties are presently being taxed. Commercial property owners, outside of the downtown business district, do not receive trash pickup but are still paying the $167 fee.

Recently, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the Greenville County fee added for road improvement was deemed a tax and has required the county to repay that money to property owners. The association between the Supreme Court ruling in the City of Simpsonville’s user fee has not been determined by any court, but several citizens have discussed the option of seeking a court ruling. Over the last two years the $167 fee has totaled several hundred thousand dollars for city coffers.

With the city gearing up to begin trash pickup several employees have been added as truck drivers, and a former employee of ACE environmental has been hired as a sanitary department supervisor. Drivers hired to operate the mechanized garbage trucks need to have a CDL license as well as training on the new vehicles.

FAQ: Sanitation Transition from Simpsonville website:

Q: When will Meridian Waste pick up my can? 

A: Meridian Waste will pick up cans on your last day of service of Aug. 26 or Aug. 27. Leave all ACE/Meridian cans on the curb for Meridian to pick up.

Q: When will the Public Works Department deliver my new can? 

A: The Public Works Department will deliver 1 new black Simpsonville can to each resident and business in the core district the week of Aug. 23. Leave your can on the curb for 24 hours or until an informational flyer has been zip tied to the can. 

Q: What is the first day of trash pickup by Public Works?

 A: The first day of trash pickup by Public Works will be Aug. 30. 

Q: Will Public Works pick up trash from both of my garbage cans if I have 2 cans? 

A: Public Works will pick up trash from only the 1 new black trash can. 

Q: Why is Public Works servicing only 1 trash can? 

A: The collection route for Public Works sanitation division is based on servicing only 1 can; servicing more than 1 can would reduce the efficiency of service and put trash collection behind schedule. 

Q: What if I have more trash than I can fit in my 1 can? 

A: Recyclables can be dropped off at several local centers; reduce and reuse habits lessen waste even more so than recycling. 

Q: What about bulk item and yard waste pickup and recyclables? 

A: All bulk items and yard waste will continue to be picked up under past and continuing guidelines; curbside recycling ends Sept. 1.■