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Eau Claire considers ordinance allowing customers to opt into every‑other‑week trash pickup
Summary
Councilmembers introduced a code amendment to let residents request biweekly refuse pickup. Proponents called it a sustainability and affordability measure; officials and the health department said the change would be customer‑requested only and enforceable under existing code enforcement rules.
Councilmembers Aaron Brewster and Josh Miller introduced an ordinance amendment May 12 to Chapter 8.32 of the Eau Claire municipal code to allow refuse haulers to offer every‑other‑week residential pickup by customer request.
Brewster said the change responds to resident requests — particularly from smaller households and residents committed to recycling and composting — who previously had access to biweekly service. “Contrary to some people's concerns, this does not allow for waste companies to mandate this. This is by customer request only,” Brewster said.
Miller, the secondary sponsor, said the city discovered haulers had offered every‑other‑week pickup without issue and that restoring the option gives customers a choice while not forcing any household to change service. He pointed to enforcement language in the ordinance and said customers who choose biweekly service must still keep waste properly contained.
Residents in favor told the council the option reduces waste and, in some cases, costs. Jeremy Craighart said the change “helps with our conversation about sustainability and about waste” and that local haulers such as Earthbound have offered biweekly pickup. Jane (last name not specified) and Mary Anne Koth, who said she paid about $200 a year previously for a 35‑gallon biweekly service, urged passage.
Council members asked about enforcement and missed pickups. Vice President Orthmann and Council Member Anderson asked whether a missed pickup (for example due to a holiday) could leave trash sitting beyond the 14‑day limit. Brewster said the modification extends the current storage allowance from seven days to 14 days and that enforcement would remain with Neighborhood Services and the health department. Miller noted the ordinance language parallels the city’s existing time‑limit enforcement (currently seven days) and simply extends it to a two‑week period for customers who opt into biweekly service.
Health department enforcement staff (referred to in discussion as Ms. Cragnus) had reviewed the draft language and indicated the change would be enforceable under existing code authority, staff said.
Why this matters: The amendment would restore a customer‑requested service option that some residents say supports waste reduction and lowers household costs. Council members and enforcement staff emphasized the option is voluntary and that proper containment and code enforcement remain in place.
No final vote occurred May 12. The council heard public comment from multiple residents and directed staff to proceed with the ordinance process.
