Columbia utilities spokesman: 80-90% of roll cart exchanges are requesting larger size

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A majority of roll cart exchange requests in Columbia have been for requests for a larger cart, according to an email from City Utility spokesman Matt Nestor.

Earlier this week, a social media post from Columbia Recycling and Trash stated that the city was “in the process of exchanging” more than 1,400 roll carts for trash customers.” Nestor stated on Thursday that the number was closer to 2,400 exchange requests, and that 80-90% were customers asking for a larger size.

Nestor said that 950 requests remain. Nestor said earlier this week that there isn’t a timeline for roll carts to be exchanged.

Columbia trash customers began receiving roll carts at the end of January. In March 2023, the city decided to switch its refuse pickup to an automated system that involves roll carts. The new system started on March 4, 2024.

There were three sizes of roll carts residents were able to pick from: A 35-gallon cart costing $12.87 per month, a 65-gallon can costing $17.37 per month and it will cost $22.50 per month for a 95-gallon can. Customers who did not make a trash selection were given the 65-gallon option

“Customers may request to exchange their refuse cart one time at no charge within the first 120 days of initially receiving the cart. The customer can either call the Contact Center at 573.874.CITY (2489) or email Waste-Mgmt@CoMo.gov to request a different size of roll cart. Solid Waste will schedule an appointment with the customer to exchange the roll cart,” Monday’s social media post reads. “After the initial 120-day period, customers will be charged a $25 exchange fee per cart. The exchange fee and adjusted rate will be reflected on the customer’s monthly bill.”