Ridgeland absorbing waste hike

RIDGELAND — City officials said that even though trash and recycling rates are going up, residents here will not pay an increase in their monthly fees.

Instead, city officials unanimously agreed to cover the $54,892 annual Waste Management increase by using the solid waste fund surplus, saving the roughly 7,000 customers the extra costs.

The decision came during the Ridgeland Mayor and Board of Aldermen’s Nov. 16 meeting.

“The solid waste fund has a surplus that will cover the slight increase in costs that we will pay Waste Management,” said Alan Hart, director of Community Development and Public Works. “We are not planning to increase the current rate that residents are paying at this time.”

A letter from Waste Management Spokesman David Holloway states that the increase went into effect on Oct. 1.

According to the letter, the increases were calculated using the consumer price index for water, sewer and trash. The city will see a 3.57% increase in residential and light commercial trash pickup. The increases represent $3,625.70 total to the city per month and $43,508.40 annually.

Residential collection was raised 50 cents to $14.60 compared to the previous rate of $14.10.

Light commercial collection saw an increase from $19.70 to $20.40, representing a 70 cent increase.

Residential recycling will see a 14 cent increase to $5.93 from $5.79. That represents a $948.64 increase per month and a total of $11,383.68 per year, totaling $54,892.08 annually.

“We are very proud to list the City of Ridgeland as one of our valued customers and look forward to a successful future,” Holloway said.

The city’s current contract with Waste Management began on Oct. 1, 2020, until Sept. 30, 2026.