Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents criticize removal of convenience dumpsters as Burke County plans fewer, manned sites
Summary
Residents told the Burke County Board of Commissioners the removal of green dumpsters and convenience centers left them with limited options for recurring household overflow; commissioners said many former sites were on private land and that the county will phase in fewer, monitored centers and landfill access while exploring staffed options.
Michelle Jackson told the Burke County Board of Commissioners that dumpsters residents were promised after Ryland began curbside collection have been removed without notice, leaving people with limited options for extra household trash and cardboard ahead of the holidays. “We literally just want some dumpsters or large roll off containers,” she said, urging the board to restore temporary access or roll-offs at the landfill entrance.
Commissioners and staff responded that numerous former green dumpster sites had been located on private property and were removed after repeated abuse, fires and persistent illegal dumping. Planning and operations staff said the county contracted trash collection and is transitioning from scattered unmanned cans to a smaller number of fenced or manned convenience centers to reduce vandalism and misuse. “We wanted to put up to 10 convenience centers in. Now that people’s abusing them, we’re going to have to man them,” one commissioner said, adding that manning will increase costs and slow rollouts.
Officials said the county landfill will remain open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and staff are placing roll-offs at some locations as interim measures. Commissioners discussed options raised by residents, including monitored cameras, work-release or inmate crews for cleanup, and coördination with private landowners to site facilities. Staff noted Ryland will collect some appliances for a fee and that cities such as Waynesboro may still offer curbside pickups for certain bulky items.
The exchange included repeated appeals from residents that the county’s public information on Facebook needs clearer staffing and responses; commissioners acknowledged capacity constraints and said a dedicated public-relations role could improve communications.
Board members asked staff to continue developing placement plans for convenience centers in Dyers Crossroads, Midville and Sardis, pursue fenced or manned designs where necessary, and meet with residents and the public works committee to identify sites and short-term mitigation such as graveling or temporary roll-offs. No formal policy change was voted on during the meeting; commissioners urged residents to report illegal roadside dumping and to call county staff for assistance with specific blocked rights-of-way or roadside debris.
The board adjourned after noting the trash discussion would continue in follow-up public-works meetings.
