On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will consider  the approval of a settlement agreement  and residential solid waste service agreements with five waste haulers. This action will resolve four lawsuits while also providing for the implementation of  the new solid waste management plan for unincorporated Gwinnett County consistent with  the commission’s approval of a new solid waste management ordinance on March 2. Under the new plan, five waste haulers will provide consistent and cost-effective service in five service areas throughout unincorporated Gwinnett County. The new plan provides comprehensive and consistent solid waste and recycling countywide and responds to homeowner feedback on the desire for less illegal dumping, same-day neighborhood pickup, and less neighborhood truck traffic.

Unincorporated Gwinnett County has been divided into five service areas. Residents will begin receiving service from their new waste hauler starting July 1, 2010. The new plan will provide residents with once-per-week pick-up of household waste, recyclables, and larger items like appliances and old furniture. The initial monthly service fee for the first 18 months will be $17.86 per household, to be paid to Gwinnett County on the property tax statement. Yard waste pickup will continue to be an elective service provided by the waste hauler in each district. Monthly service fee will be $10.00, to be paid semi-annually to the waste hauler.

Cleaner neighborhoods: Under the new plan, homeowners will have the opportunity to recycle 35 different items as part of their regular solid waste pick-up service. Additionally, there are approximately 20,000 homes that don't currently have waste collection services  that will now have weekly garbage pick-up.

Environmental sustainability: With only one hauler providing service throughout a neighborhood, there will be less traffic and pollution. The new system also complies with state law that requires the County to update its solid waste management plan every 10 years.

More efficient and cost-effective: One hauler per district is more efficient, cost effective, and better for the roads than having multiple trucks crisscrossing neighborhoods and areas on any given day. Homeowners in each district will pay a standard service fee for waste collection.

Gwinnett County's Solid Waste Information Center at 770.822.7141 is open for callers Monday through Friday between 7:00am and 7:00pm.