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Council considers alternatives for city garbage cans and recycling costs
Summary
Staff presented multiple city-owned and vendor-managed options for garbage and recycling cans—including rotationally molded, Totter, and Schaefer models—and two Republic-managed approaches. Staff noted 161 cans were replaced in 2025 and recommended the issue be addressed during budget deliberations.
Mike Littlefield presented options for how the city might manage refuse and recycling cans: keep the current rotationally molded cans (~15-year lifespan, ~5-year warranty), switch to Totter or Schaefer models (lower monthly increases for residents but different logistics), or move to Republic-managed delivery/replacement options that shift upfront costs into fees.
Littlefield reported the city replaced 161 cans in 2025 (about 13 per month) and that colder months produce more breakage. Staff identified trade-offs including upfront purchase versus monthly fee increases (examples in the presentation ranged from roughly $0.60 to $1.48 per month additional), storage and ordering logistics for bulk purchases, staff time (~30 minutes per replacement), warranty limits, and tracking concerns. Staff recommended that council address the can replacement strategy as part of the budget process with other budgetary considerations.
