(KAIR)--Standards are now in place in the city of  Atchison regulating solid waste management and all related fees.
Atchison city officials have been working for months to introduce a new solid waste code, a process that started earlier this year when new trash carts were distributed across the city.

Public Works Director Justin Pregont presented a comprehensive solid waste plan to City Commissioners last month for their consideration. He stood before them again Monday to answer any questions they may have about the proposed code, and to ask that it be adopted as a city wide ordnance.

Pregont says there were some concerns raised from the Commission regarding one particular section of the new code. They had received feedback from rental property owners who were concerned the city would not pick up a large amount of waste from their property if they had a resident leave the home with a great deal of trash. Pregont says that this instance, when viewed in light of the new code, would raise some concerns, but he is confident those have been ironed out.

Pregont says the new code will improve on collection methods the city has been using.
In the past, city sanitation workers would haul away any amount of waste that was cleared out of a home and left at the curb, but the new code steer them away from doing that. He says that with the new code, the city would direct people to a private contractor who can provide them with a roll away dumpster container to place the waste in.

Commissioner Rita Hartman asked Pregont how he planned on getting information on the new code to city residents. Pregont responded that his department is working on an insert that will be placed in upcoming utility bills. The information will also be posted on the city's website and a Facebook ad is also planned.

The Commission voted 5-0 to adopt the new codes.