February 2011 marks the beginning of garbage collection with a new look for about 18,000 residents in the unincorporated areas of Hinds County.
Last week, Hinds County Board Supervisors, its new collection contractor Waste Pro of Florida. and its Jackson, Miss. subcontractor National Collection Systems (NCS) introduced five new ‘state-of-the-art’ trucks during a media conference at the state fairgrounds.
“This is the way Waste Pro operates; they buy new equipment for new contracts,” said Lee Bush, one of the owners of NCS, the company responsible for the day-to-day collections. NCS has collected garbage for 13 years.
“These are expensive pieces of equipment and fully equipped,” Bush said. “So we look forward to doing the same thing Waste Pro is doing, and that is to operate the same, give good service and maintain good equipment.” Bush told The Mississippi Link that one truck has an estimated value of $130,000 to $140,000.”
NCS Project Manager Alton Smith said the trucks have dual 65-75 gallons gas tanks. “Therefore, we will be able to pick up longer before needing to refuel,” Smith said.
Each truck has a 32-yard holding capacity. The average garbage truck, according to Bush, has a 25-yard capacity. “They have all the safety features needed and well-decorated with reflectors. I think that the customers will be very pleased to have new equipment that does not leak and drip oil everywhere,” he said.
In the unlikely event of leaks, the trucks are equipped with a container that carries bleach for road cleanups.
District 1 Supervisor Robert Graham is elated to have the trucks. He described them as “pretty.” In an earlier media report, he said Waste Pro’s bid was an “attractive” one for the county. The report indicated that Waste Pro’s proposal included a $25,000 per month franchise fee to the county for exclusive garbage collection rights in unincorporated areas. Those areas include rural Clinton, Bolton, Raymond, Byram and Utica. “No Can Left Behind” is the NCS motto. “It means just what it says,” said Smith. “If we leave a can, we have to go back and pick it up.”
Allied Waste of Rankin County, Miss. previously held Hinds County’s garbage collection contract.
Be the first to comment