DALLAS — The city of Dallas wants to move nearly 100,000 trash and recycling customers to curbside pickup, instead of existing alleyway services.
The proposal, which was warmly received by a city council subcommittee Tuesday, would affect more than a third of existing Department of Sanitation customers -- some of whom are likely to be resistant to the change, the director acknowledged.
Curbside pickup was presented as safer, more economical, and more efficient than alleyway collection. Curbside collection can be completed with just one driver in an automated side-load truck, as opposed to a crew of three on a rear-load vehicle, the director said.
"The infrastructure challenges of today’s alleyways -- narrow passages, inadequate space for carts and a myriad of hazards -- reflect a bygone era not designed for today’s solid waste management needs," said Cliff Gillespie. "These conditions have also caused fires, resulting in total losses of trucks, injuries to personnel and near-missed for electrocution."
The city spends nearly $150 thousand per year repairing damage to light poles, fences, and embankments caused by the kind of trucks that operate in the narrow alleyways, Gillespie said. Crews in alleys can only collect about 125 bins per hour, compared to an average of 233 per hour by curbside crews, he said.
Gillespie proposed a phased approach, where homes with the worst alleyways switch the curbside pickup first and the others follow. But he anticipates a "fierce" defense of alleyway pickup from people arguing it is more convenient and more aesthetically pleasing.
"I have alleyway services myself," he said. "It’s not something that I necessarily look forward to that transition as well, so I understand why residents hold it near and dear."
Councilmembers in committee Tuesday appeared to embrace the changes, arguing the millions of dollars saved per year could help stabilize the city's sanitation services fee.
"To me, this is somewhat of a no-brainer," said Councilman Adam Bazaldua.
"I think we’re getting to an inflection point on which direction to go, and it sounds like best practice-wise moving to curb pickup is the best practice," said Councilwoman Gay Donnell Willis.
Gillespie said his team will now assess various service routes throughout the city and develop options for a phased approach to moving collections from alleyways to curbside to present to the city council.
NOTE: The following video was uploaded in Feb. 2023.
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