Dumpster days are here in Jackson. See what to do with your trash
It's been three weekdays that residents in Jackson have not had their trash collected after the City Council failed to approve a contract with Richard's Disposal Inc. in a year-long legal dispute between the council and the mayor's office.
A specially called Saturday morning meeting was convened after only three of seven council members attended a similarly called meeting Thursday, resulting in the lack of a quorum.
Voting to approve the 39-page, 6-year contract with Richard’s on Saturday were Ward 2 Councilwoman Angelique Lee, Ward 4 Councilman Brian Grizzell and Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay. Voting against were council President Ashby Foote of Ward 1, Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley and Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks.
Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes, who attempted to introduce a failed amendment replacing Waste Management with Richard’s as the contract’s selected vendor, abstained. Passage of the contract would require four affirmative votes.
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Now, residents are left to fend for themselves regarding what to do with household waste as it begins to pile up in the city of 150,000 residents.
What should people do? Here are a few options for the people of Jackson.
City offers three dumpster days to alleviate trash troubles
To assist residents with their garbage, the City of Jackson has scheduled trash drop-off times and locations for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Trash drop off: Thursday & Friday
Dumpsters will be available for residents between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the parking lot of the Old Dillard's at the Metro Center Mall. Only household trash can be dropped off.
Trash must be in a contractor/commercial trash can bag
Bags must be securely tied and contained in the vehicle
All trash must be contained in the tied contractor/trash bag
No tires, bulk items, no construction material, or hazardous waste will be accepted
Trash drop off: Saturday
Household trash will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 3 pm. Saturday at the City landfill at Interstate 55 South Frontage Road in Byram.
There will be no roll off dumpster day on Saturday. It has been canceled.
Should you continue pay for trash pickup?
Jackson residents currently pay for their trash pickup as part of their water bill. We asked the City of Jackson if residents can pro-rate their trash pay, based on how many days trash does not get delivered.
The city did not respond to questions about payment of collection bills.
Are there private contractors that people might hire to pick up their trash?
At least one person out there is willing to pick up the trash. Justin Ragin put on the social media outlet Nextdoor that he is willing to pick up people's trash.
Ragin, who once played football at Jackson State University, now owns T&C Movers. He will pick up your garbage for $15 a week, he said.
"Beginning (Tuesday), we are providing pickup for neighborhoods," Ragin said.
When asked how many people had responded to his social media post, he said, "A lot. Too many to count."
Ragin said he will pick up bagged trash. However, he will not pick up junk. That would be a separate charge — negotiated at a different time.
If you would like to reach out to Ragin, you can call 901-286-0303.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What to do with Jackson trash
