Asheville – Buncombe County has entered into a franchise agreement with a new waste hauler. Beginning January 1, current Waste Pro customers will be serviced by FCC Environmental Services—if they register. A press release from the county cautions, “To ensure a smooth transition and avoid service disruption, customers are required to sign up with FCC Environmental before the end of October.”
Registration forms can be obtained by calling (828) 820-7022 or visiting fccenvironmental.com/buncombe-county/. Their purpose is to ascertain what type of service future subscribers want. They request no information other than this and the registrant’s name, address, email, and phone number.
With Basic Service, customers will receive weekly trash and biweekly recycling collection for $28.65 per month. All trash must fit in the bin with the lid closed. Overflow bags can also be set out with a bag tag. Subscribers receive two free tags; additional tags will cost $3 each. Customers may also lease an extra bin for $12 per month.
Bulky items weighing up to 75 pounds may be hauled for $25 each. Among the bulk items that will not be picked up are hazardous materials, gas-powered equipment or parts, gas tanks, large trees, and large volumes of commercial waste.
Larger items, such as swing sets, must be disassembled. Corrugated cardboard placed with the trash must be flattened to pieces no larger than 30” x 30” in bundles not exceeding 50 pounds.
Customers who do not wish to roll their trash to the roadside can subscribe to Premium Service for $59 per month. Individuals with doctors’ notes can enjoy this service for only $28.65 per month, and a low-income price break is available for the first 700 registrants who request it, earn less than 150% of the federal poverty level, and receive federal assistance. Bear Carts may be rented for an additional $10 per month or purchased for $320.
These rates are approximately $15 more per billing cycle than what Waste Pro had been charging. When Waste Pro informed county staff of their need to raise prices, Buncombe County’s Solid Waste Director, Dane Pedersen, fielded a stream of questions, stating, “From a public perspective, it appears that Waste Pro wanted to raise rates higher than the contract allowed, so the commissioners authorized staff to send out an RFP.”
Waste Pro faced a steep learning curve when new to Buncombe. The many unmarked trails leading to homes on wooded mountain roads resulted in numerous complaints about missed pickups. Pedersen brought the matter before the commissioners, and in the following weeks, Waste Pro rallied en masse. Soon, it seemed that the hauler’s enthusiasm had triumphed and all was well. Unfortunately, the county continued to receive complaints, many of which pertained to an unresponsive call center.
Given how long it took Waste Pro to learn the area, concerns were raised that the expense of training another hauler to navigate Buncombe’s roads might not be worth the few dollars customers would save, possibly only in the short term. The commissioners questioned whether FCC even understood what it was getting into. Waste Pro had provided special services, such as doorstep pickup for disabled persons, bear carts, and specialized trucks to service narrow roads with difficult terrain. The costs of dismantling and setting up would also be passed on to subscribers.
Only Waste Pro and FCC responded to the RFP, which the county described as “rigorous with a clear scoring matrix guiding companies to address county priorities.” According to a county press release at the time, “FCC Environmental Services demonstrated an understanding of the service area, detailed plans, and a commitment to effective customer communication and technology use.”
Its webpage dedicated to Buncombe County states, “FCC is one of the world’s largest waste management and recycling companies, with a presence in over 35 countries. FCC’s more than 60,000 employees worldwide interact with citizens daily and focus on constantly increasing sustainability. Together, we will create socially integrated communities.” FCC, which stands for Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA, is a conglomerate of construction, real estate, and other enterprises headquartered in Barcelona, Spain.
FCC has signed a seven-year contract with a one-year extension. After two years, FCC will be allowed to raise rates by 3.5%–5%, in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
Upon completing the registration form, subscribers will receive the message: “Thank you for reaching out and for your interest in FCC Environmental Services. Our team has received your inquiry and will be in touch as soon as possible. If you need immediate assistance during normal business hours, please feel free to call us directly at 877-642-3702.”