WHAT IS WITH THE NEW TRASH COLLECTION FEE?

Some trash customers in Maplewood are getting a new fee in their quarterly bill with no real explanation.

The change, from Waste Industries, states it is an "environmental fee" and represents about 7% of the original pick-up fee, according to Waste Industries officials.

A W.I. official who spoke with Maplewoodian.com said some customers did not get the explanatory letter (see HERE) with their most recent bill as they should have.

With the charge, the quarterly rate for two-can, twice-weekly pick-up runs about $90.63, with a $6.21 environmental fee.

A check with Waste Management, the other trash pick-up firm serving Maplewood, finds they also charge such a fee and their quarterly rate is still higher than Waste Industries, at about $112, with a $9.03 environmental and fuel fee.