Maumee seeking input from residents on future of trash and recycling services

MAUMEE, Ohio — The City of Maumee is asking residents to weigh in on the future of their trash and recycling services as officials prepare for a new waste collection contract set to begin in August 2026.

Currently, Maumee residents pay an average of at least $200 per household each year for trash collection, according to city data. With about 5,100 households in the city, officials said those costs are expected to rise when the next contract takes effect.

To help shape those decisions, the city has launched an online survey where residents can share opinions on trash pickup, recycling, and potential new services.

“I think they should get the opinion as a resident and also negotiate contracts with other agencies,” said one Maumee resident, who asked not to be identified. “I don’t think that we should just sit on our laurels and utilize Republic Services without getting bids from other trash pickup organizations.”

Maumee’s current contract with Republic Services expires July 31, 2026. Jon Fiscus, chair of the city’s Public Information Committee, said officials want to ensure the next agreement provides the best value for taxpayers.

“With rising costs, we want to make sure that we’re getting the most bang for our buck, whether it be just straight trash service or adding those extra things that come along with it,” Fiscus said.

Fiscus added that the city is exploring several options, including composting partnerships and adjusting bin sizes to potentially lower costs.

“One of the options we’re going to look into is whether composting is something that the residents want, where we would take it to a central site, maybe partner with the Metroparks,” Fiscus said. “Also, we can look at different-sized toters, maybe a smaller recycling bin or a smaller trash bin, if that helps bring down the cost.”

The city’s current waste management contract costs about $900,000 annually. Fiscus said projections for the next contract range from $1.4 million to $1.6 million per year.

The online survey will remain open for about a month. Residents must register for an account to participate, but Fiscus emphasized that the city will not sell personal information.

“It also allows us to kind of geographically locate the information as well,” he said. “We ask that all residents go and fill it out so we can have the best information possible.”

City leaders plan to use the survey results to guide contract negotiations for Maumee’s next waste collection provider. The survey can be found HERE.