Services at Columbia recycling drop-off centers scaled back ahead of frigid temperatures, overflows expected

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia is experiencing another round of frigid temperatures this weekend with wind chills expected to be below zero degrees.

Due to the colder temperatures, City of Columbia Utilities Spokesman Matt Nestor said maintenance at recycling drop-off centers around the city will be scaled back.

The decision to scale back service at recycling drop-offs came as Columbia Solid Waste announced residential trash pickup for Friday and Saturday would be canceled. The department expects residential trash pickup to return to its normal schedule next week.

"We're going to maintain the sites this weekend, but on a minimal schedule," Nestor said. "It's going to depend on availability of the drivers, the cold effects the trucks."

The change of schedule could lead to overflowing at any of the eight drop-off centers in the city, an issue residents have been experiencing for some time. Nestor said the two locations with the heaviest traffic typically are the State Farm Parkway location and Cosmo Park. Nestor said cleanup efforts at those locations could take priority, but there is no written schedule.

Columbia resident Vanessa Johnson said she's seen overflows at the State Farm Parkway location.

"I've come here every other week and I've noticed they've been overflowing most of the time," Johnson said.

Nestor recommends people refrain from using the drop-off sites this weekend, unless it's an emergency.

"You know, you don't need to get those (recyclable items) out this weekend, they can wait for another day," Nestor said. "So if it's not an emergency to get those out of your house, leave them there for a few days."

Another resident named Pngtian said he believes the city should prioritize cleaning up the locations more frequently, which could help alleviate some of the overflows seen.

"I would say the frequency of the clean up should be increased in the future," Pngtian said. "I understand the city must have their own difficulty to gather all the human labor power to collect the trash."

Johnson also noted being unaware that there are eight drop-off locations across the city, something she says could also be contributing to the issue.

This is the second time in as many weeks that services were scaled back for recycling drop-offs. Pickups were canceled Jan. 12-16 during a cold spell that brought subzero temperatures.

A report presented to the Columbia City Council in November outlines several suggestions from residents regarding ways to improve the sites. Some suggestions include combining the State Farm Parkway and Providence Outer Road sites and staffing them, as well as adding gates to the busier locations.

Nestor said the report will be discussed during a City Council work session Monday.