Aug. 17, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Novak Sanitary Service.

The city of Sioux Falls is asking residents how they feel about elements of garbage service – including where containers are placed.

You might not realize it, but the city has an ordinance in place that requires residents to place their waste containers “in an inconspicuous place beside or behind the structure, which is reasonably accessible to” a garbage hauler. In other words, curbside placement is prohibited even on collection days.

In April 2020, the Sioux Falls City Council adopted an emergency ordinance that allowed for curbside placement. The emergency ordinance was in response to a potential labor shortage of waste haulers during the pandemic. This emergency ordinance ended in April of this year.

The Department of Public Works, at the urging of the City Council, is interested in learning more about residents’ behavior, knowledge and needs regarding garbage container placement.

Results of a public survey will be given to the mayor and City Council and considered in deciding next steps for a possible update of city garbage container placement requirements. Currently, there is no proposal in front of the City Council to change the existing ordinance.

It’s a quick, anonymous survey that you can take here.

“It’s been 18 months of unique times, and our customers have been so supportive,” said Novak Sanitary Service assistant general manager Patrick Draisey.

“We absolutely have the best customers in the Sioux Falls area, and their willingness to adapt to curbside pickup has been huge for our team.”

It has been so successful that Novak experienced zero employee injuries while serving the community in the past year, he said.

“Our customers’ support enabled us to send all of our employees home safely every day,” he said. “So we’re hopeful they and all residents consider the impact to your haulers, their livelihood and their families by continuing to support a long-term curbside approach.”

You have until Thursday, Aug. 19, to respond to the survey. Click here to complete it.