Omaha's new garbage collector off to slow start

Just a few weeks after Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert declared the city's new $23 million a year-10 year trash contract the "industry gold standard in collection" garbage pick-up has hit a snag: 7,500 missed pick-ups in the first three days of that new contract.

According to a statement from the mayor's office, several factors are responsible for the "inconveniences" and the city is taking immediate steps to fix the foul-ups.

Among the fixes: The city's new trash hauler, FCC Environmental, will be adding trucks and drivers in order to increase the number of collection routes and special collection services.

FCC will also add a Saturday pick-up to this week's schedule.

As for those delaying factors, the mayor's office says there's been a significant increase—from 2,400 to over 6,000— in the number of homes receiving special collection services. In addition we're told many residents are sill using old cans rather than the new 96 gallon carts.

The mayor's office is asking homeowners to put all trash, yard waste and recycling in the new carts by 6 a.m. on your collection day.

FCC's scheduled pick-ups are from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday—keeping in mind that additional pick-up this Saturday.