Columbia City Council set to vote on fate of trash bags

View a replay of the City Council meeting above.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council expects to vote on the fate of the city's recycling and trash bags Monday night.

In the past, the Solid Waste Department recommended the city end the use of city logo bags. City leaders gave the community chances to share feedback about the program at public meetings in November.

According to the city council, feedback from customers appeared to show the majority of people are in favor of ending Columbia's current recycling and trash bag requirement. Many residents shared complaints about the bags being defective, a lack of availability of bags in stores, and some believe the bags are too expensive.

Customers would no longer need city logo bags starting Jan. 2, 2023, if council members end the program. Columbia expects to save more than $1 million.

City leaders don't expect rates to drop if the bag system ends. If council members vote in favor of ending the program, residents can expect a switch to an automated trash system.

City leaders believe the change would help with current staffing issues and safety concerns for drivers. The city would provide 65 or 95-gallon roll carts to customers.

Depending on the size, the carts would cost between $8 to $12 a month. The fee for the carts would range between $8 to $12 a month depending on the size.

The Columbia City Council meeting starts at 7 p.m.