REFUSE COLLECTION: IN-HOUSE OR OUT?

Faced with increasing demands from taxpayers, rising operating costs and shrinking capital budgets, municipalities and public officials are turning to the private sector in hopes of providing their communities and citizens with efficient, reliable and cost-effective sevices. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees reported in 1980 that state and local governments paid an estimated 66 billion to private firms to provide public services. According to a report compiled by the Columbia University Graduate School of Business and funded by the United States National Science Foundation, municipal refuse collection is 29 percent more expensive than contract collection. Cities that contract for private collection not only gain lower collection costs, but a number of additional benefits as well, says the National Solid Wastes Management Association. While contracting refuse collection to the private sector may save money for some municipalities, it may not lower collection costs in other cities and counties. Whether a local government uses its own forces or those of a contractor, public officials need to examine all of the costs associated with solid waste collection and disposal.