The majority of residential customers will see a decrease in their collection rates. Rates continue to vary by container size, but based on current rates, customers who already subscribe to yard/food waste collection would see lower costs. Those who do not currently subscribe would see a rate increase, but it would come with the new embedded yard/food waste service.
An 8.49 percent street/administrative fee will be added to base collection rates and serve as an additional city revenue source. Revenue will be used to offset costs associated with wear and tear collection trucks put on Newcastle streets, as well as the contract administration costs. The fee will generate about $150,000 in new revenue annually. Even with the fee, the majority of residential customers will see a decrease in their rates, while all customers will receive an improved level of service.
The new rates, which will not take effect until March, will be posted on the Waste Management website.