Corbin officials make final plea to help fix chronic garbage problem

 Unbagged garbage dumped into the cans, garbage scattered because the lid was left off the can and upholstery material, mattresses and similar items left uncovered are just a few issues Corbin’s garbage collectors are seeing at an increasing rate along their routes.

Corbin Public Works Director Garry Kelly described it as an on-going problem, but one limited to about 100 of the more than 2,800 residential garbage pickups his crews make each week. However, within the last two months, the crews are reporting an increasing number of stops where they are running into these issues.

"It has doubled within the last two months to about 200 residences on the two garbage routes," Kelly said

Under Corbin’s ordinance, customers who do not have access to a dumpster, "must have garbage cans, not exceeding 35 gallon capacity made of metal or plastic and garbage can liners (trash bags) must be placed in the can," the ordinance states.

An increasing number of residents are placing the trash bags out instead of putting them inside of the cans or putting the garbage directly into the cans without using a bag, in the belief that it is easier for the garbage collectors.

Kelly said this is having exactly the opposite effect. Unlike with some private companies in the area, Corbin’s garbage collectors manually dump the cans. The process is more efficient if the garbage is in bags.

In addition, securing the garbage inside the cans with a lid on top prevents animals from scatting the trash that has been set out for pickup.

While Corbin’s trash collectors will take upholstery material, mattresses, furniture and similar items, the city’s ordinance requires that they be, "fully wrapped and covered with plastic or other waterproof material prior to placing at curbside,"

As with the other aspects of the ordinance, Kelly said this is something that is being ignored more and more, despite repeated attempts to contact residents up to and including knocking on their door.

"We don’t want to upset people, we just want to enforce the ordinance," Kelly said.

If the situation is not resolved, Kelly said he has been in talks with Corbin Building Inspector Frank Burke who has the authority to issue citations to residents for violation of the city’s property maintenance ordinance.

The citations result in a minimum $100 fine.

"We are just trying to take better care of the community," Kelly said.