What's Happening To Our Trash?
Cochise County has a new, more modern garbage truck that comes to Portal on Wednesday and Saturday. Since it is a real compacting truck and not just an open bin, people have two key questions: (1) how to dispose of large items (old refrigerators, hot water heaters,
I recently spoke with Steve Johns of the Cochise County Solid Department. Here's what I learned.
1. Although the County is aware that disposing large items is a problem created by the new truck, there is NO current plan to deal with it. BUT, they know it IS a problem, and are discussing ways to handle it. It may involve sending the old bin to Portal once or twice a month. We will be notified when a plan is approved, so just hold your horses on this one.
2. Recycling is more interesting. Manny (or whoever brings the truck) is supposed to have a supply of BLUE bags. When you bring items to be recycled, the items should either be transferred from your bag to a blue bag, or your entire bag put into a blue bag. The blue bags are supposed to sit on the ground until the truck is ready to depart, and then thrown into the truck. That way, when the truck arrives at the transfer station, the blue bags will be visible, removed first, and placed in the appropriate piles for recycling.
I told Mr. Johns that Manny is very personable and liked by all. We will not be comfortable (and it is not our responsibility) telling Manny what he is supposed to do. His instructions must come from the County. Nevertheless, if you want to bring materials for recycling to the Portal truck and you see no blue bags, please do remind Manny about this policy.
If you have additional questions, please do call Steve Johns at (520)803-3781. He too is very pleasant to talk with and eager to help.
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