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Low participation in Flower Mound green‑waste pilot prompts staff to return with options
Summary
Town staff and Republic Services reported limited resident use in October–November pilot collection; survey respondents were generally satisfied, but low uptake and uncertain costs led council to ask staff for options that could include seasonal runs or swapping bulk pickups for green‑waste collection.
Flower Mound officials reviewed results of a two‑month green‑waste pilot program and heard that participation across five pilot routes was low, prompting council members to ask staff to return with costed options and possible operational changes.
Why it matters: The pilot tested curbside collection for bundled plant material and leaf bags in October and November on five different weekday routes. Republic Services and town staff tracked participation, weight and resident survey responses to inform whether the town should expand green‑waste service townwide or adopt a seasonal/modified program.
Program results: Shelly Wilson, environmental services staff, and Jerry Harwell of Republic Services reported the pilot covered 4,021 households across five routes and offered each household multiple collection opportunities. Participation ranged from about 1.2 percent to 3.0 percent of households on a given route; total cubic yards collected were modest (October ~187 cu yd, November ~178 cu yd). A resident survey received 138 responses: about 85 percent of respondents rated the program “satisfied” or “very satisfied,” and roughly 89 percent said the town should explore expanding green‑waste options. On pricing, 44 percent said they would pay $1–$3 monthly and about 42 percent opposed any bill increase to add the service.
Operational and cost considerations: Republic Services staff cautioned that curbside green‑waste service would require changes that affect truck fleets, staffing and resident behavior. Options discussed included adding a dedicated green‑waste cart (which lowers per‑bag expense but increases capital cost), dedicated trucks or seasonal/targeted service months to match peak leaf drop, or swapping some bulk‑pickup dates for green‑waste days so no additional truck would be needed.
Preliminary cost range: Staff provided a planning estimate in the presentation of roughly $3–$5 per household per month to add year‑round green‑waste curbside service; speakers emphasized this was an estimate and that final pricing would depend on contract negotiations. Harwell and staff also noted extra trucks would add fuel use and street wear; drop‑off site options would require manning to prevent illegal dumping.
Public comment and council direction: Council members and some residents said they liked the environmental benefits of diverting yard waste from landfill, but several council members voiced concern about the low participation rate observed in the pilot and the fairness of charging all households for a service few used. Council asked staff to return with a menu of options — including targeted, seasonal or swapped bulk‑pickup approaches — and asked staff to seek Environmental Conservation Commission feedback before bringing final contract or budget recommendations back to council. Town staff noted the Republic Services contract runs through September 2026, giving time to negotiate service changes in the next contract round.
Next steps: Staff will work with Republic Services, the ECC and the Parks/Environmental teams to prepare alternatives with estimated costs and operational details and will present those options to the council at a future meeting for direction.
