East Point public works proposes route overhaul to cut fuel use and vehicle wear

East Point — The Public Works Solid Waste division proposed reorganizing residential collection routes to reduce overlapping trips, lower fuel consumption and decrease truck wear. Assistant Solid Waste manager Robert Whitehead told council the new approach concentrates collection by block — starting at the furthest point and sweeping toward the transfer/yard — instead of repeatedly crossing the city.

Presenting fuel‑use charts based on sample runs, staff argued the revised routes would reduce mileage and fuel consumption and keep full truck runs progressing toward the transfer station rather than returning mid‑route. Under the plan staff would still operate four main collection trucks on typical weekdays (with five trucks deployed on the weekly heavy collection day) but change which neighborhoods are scheduled on which day of the week. Friday would remain a makeup and targeted cleanup day for problem locations.

Council members asked for a written estimate of the expected fuel and maintenance savings, confirmation that recycling vendor operations could be adapted, and a detailed community outreach plan. Staff recommended a town hall, mailed inserts with utility bills, neighborhood association briefings and social‑media outreach; councilmembers requested door hangers and targeted outreach to seniors. Solid Waste said a January–March outreach and pilot timetable would allow a phased implementation after community notice.

Why it matters: Solid Waste runs at an operational deficit in East Point, and staff framed the change as an operational efficiency aimed at stretching vehicle life and limiting duplicate travel over the same blocks. The council did not take an immediate vote to change service days but encouraged staff to continue technical work and public engagement, and asked for a follow‑up report with estimated savings, vendor confirmation and a community notification plan.