Richardson staff, consultants present solid-waste master plan with staffing and route changes

Consultants from Burns & McDonnell and Richardson public‑services staff briefed the Richardson City Council on an updated solid‑waste master plan and asked the council to concur with policy and implementation steps that would move the plan into final form.

The presentation, led by Scott Pasternak of Burns & McDonnell and Allison Acarias (presentation lead), laid out short‑term operational changes (route resizing, staffing shifts, a dedicated commercial business analyst), a staged plan for the city’s recycling drop‑off site, and options to procure multifamily/commercial recycling and construction-and‑demolition (C&D) hauling through competitive contracts. The consultants and staff said the recommendations are intended to be implemented over 2025–2029 and are presented as recommendations subject to council funding and approval.

Why it matters: the report ties operational changes to estimated cost‑of‑service impacts and to service equity, safety and reliability goals. Consultants emphasized that current reliance on temporary workers creates operational risk and inequity between recycling and trash crews; they recommended increases in full‑time equivalents to reach an industry best practice 20% staff reserve, resizing routes to equalize hours worked and households collected, and added equipment to reduce operational reliance on other divisions.

What the plan recommends:…