Despite blue-topped bins, Augusta hasn’t been recycling for years
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Augusta Commission is moving forward with a new waste contract that will split out recycling as an extra optional cost and charge residential customers more for garbage service than businesses.
The decision came with what may be a bombshell to many residents:
The city hasn’t actually been recycling since the COVID pandemic, even though customers have been dutifully sorting recyclables into blue-topped bins placed by the curbside and picked up every week.
MORE FROM THE AUGUSTA COMMISSION:
‘We voted for the JBA’: City leaders fight name change for new arena
Augusta commissioners have made it official: They don’t want James Brown’s name removed from the downtown arena when it’s rebuilt.
Neighbors raise concerns about new Salvation Army shelter in Augusta
At least 53 people aren't happy about plans for a new Salvation Army shelter and soup kitchen in a vacant building on Hale Street a block from May Park.
Going forward, if customers want to recycle, they’ll have to pay at least $12.69 extra per month.
And even though you might expect nonresidential customers like businesses to generate more garbage than families, they’ll pay about $3 less per month than home customers.
After Tuesday’s decision by the Augusta Commission, the city’s waste contract will go to Coastal Waste Recycling Inc. effective Aug. 1, with the option of Coastal providing recycling services by contracting directly with residents and others on request.
The contract is for five years with an option to renew for an additional five-year term.
With new storm season here, are Augusta leaders ready for another Helene?
Because local leaders now know exactly what could happen in a worst-case scenario, the need for a hurricane playbook should be obvious, right?
Commissioner Jordan Johnson said he was hesitant to approve one hauler for the entire city, wondering if there was enough manpower to cover all of Augusta.
It may not have been widely know, but it became clear at Tuesday’s meeting that no official recycling program is currently active.
The city used to recycle but stopped after COVID due to contamination issues.
The new waste contract doesn’t include recycling unless residents choose to add it.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office plans to address teen violence
Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley will use a range of tools to keep teenage violence at bay after a shooting injured two people in the Harrisburg neighborhood.
It will include weekly pickup of household garbage, yard waste and bulky waste.
Monthly garbage costs to the city (paid to Coastal):
- Residential: $22.11.
- Non-residential: $19.
- Yard/bulky waste (unoccupied lots): $7.97.
- Extra cart: $9.75.
Recycling, with residents directly paying Coastal if they want service:
- Weekly service: $14.69 a month.
- Twice a month: $13.69 a month.
- Once a month: $12.69 a month.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
