The Slidell City Council voted last week to return to a twice-weekly residential garbage collection and recycling program.

The city had twice-weekly garbage collection for years, but the council opted last year for a slightly less-expensive program that included once-weekly pickup and curbside recycling. The decision to reduce the frequency of collection was a point of consternation for some residents, particularly those with large families who created a greater amount of refuse.

When COVID-19 closed many recycling centers nationwide earlier this year, the city reworked its garbage contract with Coastal Environmental Services to allow for twice-weekly garbage pickup while also temporarily suspending recycling. Council President Bill Borchert said many residents favored the twice-weekly program and recycling, and since the cost for that option had come down in recent months, it made sense to return to it.

Under the new ordinance, the city will pay Coastal $20.75 per month for twice-weekly garbage collection and curbside recycling. Citizens will pay $12.26 of that amount in garbage/recycling fees, with the remaining money coming from ad valorem taxes already collected by the city.

The council voted 7-1 in favor of the revamped agreement, with Councilman Val Vanney voting against. Borchert, who was serving as Mayor Pro Tem with Mayor Greg Cromer out of town, didn't vote.

Vanney offered an ordinance to end curbside recycling, but it failed.

The new garbage/recycling contract goes into effect July 1. If your garbage previously was collected on Monday or Thursday, it now will be collected on both of those days. If your garbage was collected on Tuesday or Friday, it now will be collected on both Tuesday and Friday. There is no garbage collection on weekends.

Recycling will be collected citywide on Wednesdays.