A recent shift in handling of the city’s bulky waste from the city’s Solid Waste Department to Waste Pro introduces changes for the city of Brookhaven and waste customers.

On Feb. 2, Waste Pro started a new bulky waste pickup schedule as part of its taking control of the city’s bulky waste – appliances, furniture, limbs, etc. Waste Pro will pick up each ward one day a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wards 2 and 3 will see bulky waste pick up on Monday, Ward 5 on Tuesday, Ward 6 on Wednesday, Ward 1 on Thursday and Ward 4 on Friday.

Previously, the Solid Waste Department was picking up the bulky waste. They ran a schedule of running all day, everyday in all wards.

“The people have been used to us,” Public Works Director Steve Moreton, said. “It’s going to be a learning experience for the public.”

The transition has proved to be a learning experience for Waste Pro as well.

Richard Han, Supervisor at Waste Pro said things are progressing along as the company gets more in sync with what the city wants.

“Now everything is smooth, and we’re taking care of business,” Han said.

With 12 trucks on site and 15 to 20 employees, Waste Pro’s Brookhaven regional office seems to be on top of things.

With the Solid Waste Department’s duties being shifted over, Moreton said the employees have been transferred over to the Street Department. In the Feb. 3 City Board Meeting, council members approved the promotion of Solid Waste Department worker Willie B. Wilson to Superintendent of the Street Department. Moreton said the three other workers in the Solid Waste Department were transferred to the Street Department.

Although, the Solid Waste Department’s duties are mostly taken over by Waste Pro, Moreton said the department will still exist accounting-wise. He said that the city still owns trucks, which Waste Pro decided not to purchase and use. His intention is to possibly auction them off later while keeping two for clearing trees and other debris after storms.

“Hopefully, it will save us money,” Moreton said about the transition. “I hope it’s a drastic savings.”

Moreton said time will reveal just how much money the switch will save the city.