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Gary City outlines in‑house trash service changes, clarifies extra‑can policy and bulk pickup
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Summary
City officials described the return of municipal trash pickup, listed operational challenges (equipment, routes, staffing), said households will be eligible for a second can (delivery charge only) and announced monthly bulk pickup; residents raised concerns about dumping and requested cameras and more enforcement.
Councilwoman Marion Ivy convened a 4th District community forum to review the city’s newly restored in‑house trash program and to hear resident concerns about service, dumping and fees.
Michael Suggs, the city’s chief operating officer, said bringing trash collection back "into the city" was a priority for the Melton administration and that crews recently reached near‑100 percent pickup after early start‑up problems. "Trash pick up back into the city of Gary," Suggs said, framing the move as a way to improve customer service and local control.
Suggs and sanitation staff acknowledged early operational issues caused by cold weather and equipment hydraulics that sometimes required manual collection. The city is assessing routes across roughly 52 square miles to "right‑size" service and plans to add trucks and clear overgrown alleys that hinder collection. Sanitation staff reported a mixed fleet that includes 11‑, 20‑ and 25‑yard trucks, and a representative said the department also uses 30‑yard side‑arm trucks.
On household service terms, the administration said residents will be eligible for a second trash can; officials described a one‑time delivery charge but said there will be no monthly fee for the second can. Meeting comments included conflicting accounts during the forum about a proposed $10 monthly charge, but a sanitation representative said a supervisor ultimately instructed there would not be a monthly fee.
The city also described bulk‑pickup rules: crews will collect large home items once a month (sofas, beds, dressers) but will not take refrigerators or electronics; officials advised residents to use county drop‑off sites for appliances and TVs.
Residents pressed the city on repeated illegal dumping on vacant lots and along corridors such as King Drive. Suzanne Green urged installing cameras to deter dumping and collect evidence; other residents asked for additional signage and code enforcement to prevent out‑of‑area trash being left in Gary neighborhoods.
Councilman Darren Washington asked for patience during the transition and framed the change as an economic opportunity to hire local workers; sanitation staff said the in‑house model has created new local positions.
The forum ended with council staff reminding residents to use 311 to report blight and dumping and offering written forms for follow‑up. Officials said they will communicate route changes and other operational updates to neighborhoods as adjustments are made.
