Evesham Township trash collection will be reduced from five to four days a week, according to Tom Kohl, deputy manager of operations and superintendent of public works.
The township will eliminate Friday collection and consolidate the remaining routes.
Residents scheduled for Monday pick up will be handled on Tuesday, Tuesday becomes Wednesday, and Wednesday becomes Thursday.
“It’s another way we’re constantly looking to improve things and services,” Kohl said.
In 2011, the township introduced five new larger, high compaction trucks for trash collection, which have now been running for more than a year. The new trucks’ efficiency saved workers time and inspired the modification of routes.
The consolidation will save the township $1,500 in overtime and operation costs, in addition to alleviating some overtime hours around Thanksgiving.
Monday and Tuesday will not be affected during a midweek holiday, and the days before the holiday will not be affected either.
Thirteen times a year, the township runs eight trucks on holidays instead of the normal four on weekdays, which has now been eliminated with the consolidation.
According to Kohl, the public works building will remain open six days a week. Bi-weekly recycling will also remain unchanged, and residents should place their bins outside as normal.
“Now that there is no need to worry about sanitation on Friday, residents can worry about recycling,” Kohl said.
The number of public works employees will not be reduced due to the change. Personnel will now be utilized for leaf and brush collection, pothole repairs and additional needs of the township.
“We’re able to provide additional services where we may not have in the past with the available manpower,” Kohl said.
Bulk trash timelines will remain same — the first week of January, April, July and October — however it will follow the same four-day collection schedule.
Currently, there’s no plan for further township sanitation changes, but Kohl continues to look at the need for change.
“Trash collection is a №1 core function of the department. In a time where many towns are looking to outsource trash collection, the Evesham Public Works team, which is management and the workforce, can and will provide a great service at a low cost and will continue to do so,” Kohl said.
For more information on township public works, visit twp.evesham.nj.us.
