SALUDA– Saluda water customers will soon see an increase in their solid waste service as the city recently changed providers.

The Saluda Board of Commissioners met Nov. 14 and approved a new fee schedule for garbage and recycling pickup. The city approved a new contract with Waste Industries in October and raised rates slightly, from $16.70 per month for residential customers to $20 per month.

Saluda had a contract with GDS since 2002 and that contract was continued in 2011 and ended on Dec. 1, 2016. Saluda decided to put the service out for bids and approved a new contract with Waste Industries during a special meeting on Oct. 24.

The previous contract with GDS did not provide cans for residents and businesses, but the new contract with Waste Industries will provide a trash can and one recycling container, with the option for customers to add additional cans and/or containers if needed for extra fees per month.

Commercial service with Waste Industries will cost $24 per month for once weekly pickup and $40.80 per month for twice weekly pickup. Waste Industries does not offer twice weekly pickup on recycling, but businesses do have the option to add additional trash bins and recycling containers.

City manager Jon Cannon said during the city’s Nov. 14 meeting that Waste Industries will be providing the city information about exactly what they recycle.

Commissioner Carolyn Ashburn said the recycling includes everything the city currently recycles but plastics are a little more stringent with Waste Industries.

Waste Industries also contracts with the Towns of Columbus and Tryon.

Cannon said if a business wants a dumpster they can either contract directly with Waste Industries or another company of their choice. If a business contracts for a dumpster with another company they will not have to pay for the service with Waste Industries, according to Cannon.

Mayor Fred Baisden said the trash containers are 95 gallons, so it will hold a lot of trash.

Resident Sonny Pace asked if a residential customer can opt out of the service. City attorney Bailey Nager said only if a residential customer contracted with another hauler, but a resident cannot just say they don’t want the service and take their waste to the county landfill.

The new rates will begin after Dec. 1.