Answer Man: City recycling cans not holding up? Brush removal MIA?

Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:

Question: You seem to enjoy rolling around in questions regarding garbage, so I thought I would throw one your way. The city of Asheville has very nice, large green garbage cans that facilitate automatic pick up. Ours have been in use for what seems like over 20 years, with no issues. More recently, the city distributed similar blue recycling cans of similar design. I have recently noticed that my blue recyclable can is cracking in several places, and during walks in my neighborhood, I see many of my neighbors' blue cans are showing the same type of damage. Is this an issue of misuse, or are these blue cans just plain garbage and of poor design and quality and don't last? I'm not trying to trash talk the city of Asheville, as they have done a great job promoting recycling with these blue cans, but there seems to be an issue with their longevity. Also, can you get them replaced for free? Inquiring trashy minds want to know.

My answer: I have to admit, "Rolling around in questions about trash" pretty much sums up my journalism career.

Real answer: The reader has a keen eye for problematic recycling carts.

"The city has a few different brands of carts in service, and we have also noticed that the older carts seem to be sturdier than any of our newer carts, whether they are blue or green," city of Asheville spokeswoman Kim Jordan said via email. "Manufacturing specs change, so anything from plastic resin composition to design changes can impact the life span of the carts."

Answer Man: Have bears figured out 'bear-proof' trash cans? Christmas light replacement?

Another factor that can lead to shorter lifespans is the emptying process. Now, "they are emptied with a different type of truck tipper than trash carts, so they do take a bit more of a beating when being emptied," Jordan said.

You can get carts fixed.

"Sanitation will repair or replace any broken carts for residents at no charge — as long as it is not the result of abuse, like putting hot coals in the cart," Jordan said. "The manufacturers also warranty our carts for at least five years, so the city receives reimbursement for any broken carts under warranty."

Question: To start off the new year, our brush pick up in West Asheville was canceled on Monday, Jan. 3; however, we were not told about the cancelation. After it was not picked up on Monday, I waited until Wednesday to see if it would be collected. It was not, so I called the Sanitation Department, only to be told that some of the trucks were not working and trash pickup was mandatory, so all the trucks were picking up trash. First question: Were Tuesday-Friday, Jan. 4-6, brush collections made? There were mild icy conditions on Jan. 3, but the rest of the week was clear. Usually, the city services move forward one day of the week when there are mild weather considerations. Fast forward to the week of Jan. 17-20, and this time because of the snowstorm, all brush collection was suspended this week. I understand that cancelation and appreciate a public announcement of the suspension. Currently as I write this, it will be a month until we have brush collected in West Asheville, and that of course depends on unknown weather again. This action makes me suspicious if this is part of the long-range plan to eliminate brush collections all together, much as the vacuum system for leaf collection was halted. That decision remains unpopular with many city residents, and my concern will be in the same category. Second question: Are there any long-range plans to do away with brush collection?

My answer: The city's elimination of that leaf-sucking truck will live in infamy in Asheville for many centuries to come. Trust me on this.

Real answer: I went back to city spokeswoman Kim Jordan for this one, and she cleared up the big question first.

Answer Man: West Asheville has 'giant pile of rubble'? Cemetery on site?

"First, I will say there are absolutely no plans to do away with brush collection," Jordan said, wisely steering clear of any leaf-sucking truck comments.

"Now that we’ve cleared that up, I’ll say that we have experienced a number of challenges the past few weeks that have impacted brush collection service, including inclement weather and COVID-related issues," Jordan continued.

COVID-19, the pandemic that just won't stop giving, or taking away, has caused problems with staffing levels but also supply chain issues for items such as truck parts.

"Sanitation collection trucks require a lot of maintenance, and COVID supply chain issues have hampered our ability to keep as many trucks in service as we’d like," Jordan said. "Trash collection is always the top priority for public health, so at times, we have had to shift our brush collection trucks to trash collection in order to provide that priority service."

It's certainly not a lack of effort causing delays in your brush pickup.

"Sanitation staff work 10 hour shifts, Monday-Thursday, and did collect the majority of brush customers the week of Jan 3," Jordan said. "We unfortunately did miss a small number of brush customers that week, and the city put out notice regarding the issue via their media channels."

The city planned to collect the brush, but the weather had different plans.

Jordan said the city had crews out last week, "trying to collect brush that isn’t buried under snow or stuck to the ground from anyone missed two weeks ago, and we plan to keep working on those missed areas into next week until we catch up."

WNC housing report: 125,000 live in poverty, many can't afford housing

Sanitation workers are wearing quite a few hats these days.

"Please know that Sanitation staff are not only out there helping Public Works shovel sidewalks and scrape roads, but also working hard to collect trash and brush for all city customers," Jordan said.

This is the opinion of John Boyle. To submit a question, contact him at 232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Answer Man: City recycling cans not holding up? Brush removal MIA?