Small hauler seeks exception to Independence cap on commercial trash collectors

At the May 19 Independence City Council meeting, Theresa Peterson, co-owner of Redgate Disposal, asked the council to consider an exclusion to the city’s cap on licensed trash collectors so small, commercial-only haulers could obtain permits.

Peterson said her company received a cease-operations notice for a dumpster account at a U.S. Bank location after the broker that assigns large commercial accounts had incorrectly listed the address as Kansas City. She told the council Redgate lacked a city business license because the account fell inside Independence city limits.

Peterson asked the council to consider allowing permits restricted to commercial hauling that would not operate on residential streets. “The city of Independence is at the maximum number of trash haulers that they will allow,” she said, and noted the ordinance uses a population-based cap: “1 collector is permitted per 17,500 residents,” which for Independence’s roughly 23,000 residents allows about seven haulers under current code.

Peterson said brokered commercial accounts are often awarded to single firms that can service a long list of addresses, and that smaller local haulers can offer rates two to three times lower than large national firms when they have access to the work. She asked the council to weigh an exception for commercial-only permits to increase competition while limiting wear on residential streets.

Council members did not take action on the request during the May 19 meeting; Peterson was offered an opportunity to speak with staff afterward. The transcript shows no immediate vote or staff directive on modifying the city ordinance.