TRIAL TRASH RUNS TEST NEW SYSTEM

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 3, 1993                   TAG: 9304030256
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
TRIAL TRASH RUNS TEST NEW SYSTEM
Roanoke trash collection crews will make experimental runs next week to determine how much time can be saved when the city eliminates backyard garbage collection in June.
As part of the trial runs, a crew will work ahead of the regular garbage crew to bring trash to the curb where it is not already set out.
This will allow the regular crew to time itself as though all trash were at the curb or alley. Another employee will follow behind the truck to return the cans to those houses.
The experimental runs will be conducted on Monday in the Peters Creek-Greenridge-Hershberger Road area. Wednesday, crews will make runs in the U.S. 460-Gus Nicks Boulevard-King Street area.
Similar runs will be made in other sections of the city later this month.
"This is a one-time event that will allow us to proportion the routes equally," said Michelle Bono, city public information officer.
City officials have estimated that the elimination of backyard collection service would save $368,000 a year.
"Now we're simply working to determine how many homes can be served in one day and the amount of tonnage that would be picked up," Bono said.
The city now collects garbage at the curb for one-third of the residents, one-third at the alley and the rest in backyards.
Beginning June 7, all trash must be brought to the alley or curb unless residents pay a premium or are physically unable to carry cans to the curb.
Jim McClung, manager of solid waste management, said applications are being accepted for both services. Applications are due by April 16. In order to request either service, residents should call 981-2448.
Free backyard collection will continue for residents who provide a letter from a physician. McClung said a city representative will visit those who request such service and review the application form with them.
McClung said the fee for the premium backyard collection will range from $10 a month to about $30 a month, depending on the distance from the street to the pick-up point.
The monthly charge will be $10 for a distance of 100 feet or less. The fee for each additional 100 feet will be $7. So the charge for 300 feet, for example, will be $24 a month.
McClung said residents seeking the premium service will have to pay a $20 nonrefundable application fee. Once the application fee is received, the city will measure the distance to the pick-up point. Customers will be billed quarterly.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB