Trash collection change for Irmo-St. Andrews moves forward

Curbside trash pickup in three dozen neighborhoods in the Irmo-St. Andrews area is on the verge of becoming standard instead of optional.

A one-year test of the change along the north side of the lower Saluda River and Lake Murray gained tentative approval Tuesday from Lexington County Council.

That’s an area smaller than some council members prefer. But the limited test area will be accepted “if this is the only way we can do it,” Councilman Johnny Jeffcoat of Irmo said.

The change in pickup of household garbage, recycling and yard waste might start as soon as Jan. 1 if it proves to be a money-saver, according to the plan.

More than half of the 9,800 homes in the unincorporated part of the test area – stretching roughly from I-26 to the Ballentine area – already have curbside pickup costing residents $16 monthly, officials say. The the new tab won’t be known until fall after haulers submit offers.

It will be added to the property tax bills of residents who bypass at-home collection by disposing trash free at a county-run center near the lake dam.

The change would eliminate traffic backups at the center that are hazardous, county solid waste director David Eger said.

Pickup schedules would remain the same. Trash and yard waste would continue to be picked up weekly, with recycling collected every two weeks.