More Trash Pickups Needed, Some Say

Thousand Oaks’ new trash program--in which robotic trucks operated by human drivers collect the town’s garbage--has some residents up in arms.

The problem, they say, is not the plan but the garbage itself.

What used to be a weekly pickup schedule for recycling and “green waste” such as branches and grass clippings has now become only twice a month--leaving some bins overflowing.

“I know there’s going to be a lot of problems in the spring with the green waste when you fill these things up and the grass is sitting there for a week, just rotting, waiting to get picked up,” said Don Volz, president of the Central Thousand Oaks Homeowners Assn., who said he has heard complaints from some of the 350 homeowners in his group.

“It’s wintertime, and you don’t cut the grass as much, but as soon as spring starts, you’re going to have to cut it every week,” said Phyllis Ellis, a disabled resident who has had problems with the oversized bins. “People are backing up. You can see the accumulation starting already.”

Residents such as Ellis, who voiced her concerns at a recent residents’ round-table, and Volz have complained about an array of other issues as well. The new trash bins, for instance, tumble easily under a good gust of wind, sending trash spilling into the street.

But Graham Watts of the city’s Department of Public Works said that while some problems are to be expected, most residents are happy with the new program. Those who aren’t, Watts said, should call the garbage hauler or City Hall.

“We work with every individual, and there are very few instances where we have not been able to correct the problem,” Watts said.

The switch to biweekly recycling was the result of several years’ worth of research by the city, he said.

“We did a pilot program for several years, and we determined that people don’t put out recycling every week, and if they do, it is often half-empty,” Watts said. “So the truck would come by and pick up carts half-full, and it wasn’t cost efficient. Instead, we’ve given people a larger cart, so we can come by every other week. We know that this isn’t perfect for everybody. Some people recycle more than others, some families are larger, but we’re trying to find a way to customize it.”

City Council members will take up the trash issue at their meeting Tuesday.