Bonner Springs approves Waste Management contract with every-other-week recycling; council debates $3 monthly trade-off

The Bonner Springs City Council on April 14 authorized the city manager to execute a residential solid-waste contract with Waste Management using contract option B: weekly trash collection and every-other-week recycling at the current rate.

Waste Management's representative described the transition from smaller household bins to standardized 96-gallon carts, explained that households may convert an existing personal cart for secondary recycling collection, and said municipalities operating every-other-week recycling have been successful without widespread complaints. Council discussion focused on the tradeoff between a roughly $3.10 monthly rate increase for weekly recycling (option A) and the convenience of weekly service. Mayor Tom Stevens and several council members said they personally preferred weekly recycling; other council members emphasized cost savings for residents and that many jurisdictions successfully operate on every-other-week recycling. The Waste Management representative said communities rarely move from every-other-week to weekly after contract start; many do the reverse.

Councilmember (speaker 13) moved to authorize the city manager to sign the contract on option B; the motion passed with a single recorded no vote (Councilmember McMahan). Staff noted households may request a one-time cart-size change after startup and that residents may use a purchased personal cart as a secondary recycling container, though the city recommends using carts compatible with the provider.

What's next: the city will finalize the contract documents and prepare an education campaign (calendar, stickers/decals for secondary containers) to inform residents about collection days and options to downsize or order different carts.