Seniors to Get Break on Gwinnett Trash Plan

Commissioners approved a change to Gwinnett County's trash plan on Tuesday, this one to benefit some 15,000 seniors. Starting next year, they will receive a 15 percent discount on their trash service. Under certain conditions, owners of vacant properties also will get a break. If they have a boarded up permit, the will be exempt from the fee.

Seniors 65 and older with an annual income below $10,000 who have filed an L3A senior homestead exemption qualify for the discount as do seniors 65 and older with incomes up to $25,000 and disabled people who qualify for the L5A or senior school exemption discount. About 1,500 vacant structures have been issued boarding up permits in the past year. These are valid for a year and apply to unoccupied structures were utilities have been suspended for a year or a building with an expired permit or one that has been subjected to foreclosure.

Beginning next year, commercial haulers will be required to offer recycling. In addition, quarterly billing will be allowed in some instances, like for mobile homes with services fees exceeding $25,000 annually.

The changes approved by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners also include modifications to the hauler performance appeals process and will allow quarterly billing for certain parcels such as mobile home parks in which the service fees exceed $25,000 annually. Also, commercial haulers will now be required to offer recycling beginning Jan. 1, 2013.

Further information is available at the Gwinnett County Solid Waste and Recycling Division at 770.822.7141 weekdays or by e-mail at gcsolidwaste@gwinnettcounty.com