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Is Columbia's trash bag voucher system working well?

Is Columbia's trash bag voucher system working well?

Yes

4

No

55

Yes

Is Columbia's trash bag voucher system working well?
4 Comments
Jodi Ellis
1
Jodi Ellis

This is hard to say yes or no. Yes it is working well in some areas, but No it is not in others. I like that I am charged less than others who throw away more trash. But I see more trash being tossed out on the side of the street.

Reply
k hockman
0
k hockman

People just dont want to be told how much or what size trash they can throw away. If they recycled they would have plenty if bags. I have 3 teenage boys and we put out one black trash bag a week unless we have a special occasion. Really not a big deal.

Reply
Robert Abney
0
Robert Abney

Forces people to recycle more, reduce waste, and consider if, maybe, somebody else may want the gently used item they would have normally just thrown away. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Only downside is people have been illegally dumping more at the recycling bins around town.

Reply
Kevin Zemon
0
Kevin Zemon

After our daughter joined us we're now at 2 kitchen trash bags and a recycling bag per week. Sometimes a little more, but the city trash bags will fit 3 kitchen trash bags, so we never have any problem there. With the recycling taking care any heavy glass, cans, or bulk cardboard the black bags work

Reply

No

Is Columbia's trash bag voucher system working well?
52 Comments
Nathan Butler
2
Nathan Butler

It's a disaster, as are most of the cities half baked ideas. Let us contract privately. It's cheaper, cleaner, and gives us different options for everybody.

Reply
Max
Max

But if that happens, the ones making the decisions will lose their bribe money and kick backs.

John Rogers
1
John Rogers

Never got my 1st vouchers. Hard to find bags to buy . Havent had trash service since February.

Reply
Alex Juricic
1
Alex Juricic

It is very clearly a scam. While the bags may be a bit bigger then what some people would purchase at the store, the excuse that it will produce less trash is false. The same amount of trash per family will be the same the only difference is who gets paid for the trash bag the city or a company.

Reply
Deidra Bunch
1
Deidra Bunch

There are never bags that we can pick up with our voucher. The stores are out.

Reply
Kimberly Fairchild
1
Kimberly Fairchild

I live in an area where animals eat through the cheap quality bags. Have a family that has to pay extra because of running out of the voucher bags. I would rather pay once for a bin to use.

Reply
David Robinett
1
David Robinett

How can u controll on what we throw away these bags suck and then you want to charge $2 per bag that's ridiculous I had to spend 40 bucks extra some people can afford that I'm sure you all get free trash bags whenever you want them this needs to put to stop we will stop this Columbia needs to come t

Reply
Paul Gilzow
1
Paul Gilzow

Both sets of bags are of horrible quality. I have to put my trash in a better bag and then place that bag in a city bag. I don't mind having to use the city issued bag if they'd just use better quality bags

Reply
Rachelle Freeman
1
Rachelle Freeman

When you run out to go buy some. The stores are out of ones that you can buy. The trash bags are junk. They say a wright limit of 50ibs you can't even fit 10 15 pounds it rips all the way through and the strings on the bags rip off. This is a joke. They need to let us buy our own trash bags.

Reply
MizzouGrad1
1
MizzouGrad1

People are overloading business trash dumpsters and making the city look literally trashy.

Reply
Pam Short
1
Pam Short

The bag construction is poor and they don't close up all the way. I have a difficult time getting the vouchers also.

Reply
Alana Franklin
1
Alana Franklin

The bag quality is poor, and they are huge. Using tall kitchen garbage bags and putting them in the black bags is okay, but it just puts more plastic in the landfill. I would love to see the large rolling trashcans and a device to lift them into the truck to ease the worker's burden.

Reply
REX
1
REX

Some households or different sizes which accumulates more trash.And on top of that we already pay a waste bill the bags or $2 per bags which or out of pocket when a box of 20 is $6. I feel it's outrageous.

Reply
Michael Moran
1
Michael Moran

I like putting my trash bags into different trash bags as much as the next guy, but it seems to me it's long past time for roll carts.

Reply
Ryan
1
Ryan

This is government overreach on a grand scale. The Gestapo can keep it.

Reply
Brandon Smith
1
Brandon Smith

The old system was bad, the new system is worse. Roll carts please you spineless council persons.

Reply
Kate Mirly
1
Kate Mirly

The bags rip, so trash spills out, it is not picked up, & then it blows around the entire neighborhood. I've seen trash everywhere! And instead of reducing waste, I still have to buy other trash bags that fit our trash can and shove them into the city bags hoping to meet weight like airport luggage

Reply
Jason Fick
1
Jason Fick

The bags are very poor quality. They are also hard to find. My recycling only gets picked up twice a month. I have to use a blue plastic bag to recycle my paper. They won't accept anything that won't fit into a rather small trash bag... I'll stop there.

Reply
Matt G
1
Matt G

Roadside trash has majorly increased since this started.

Reply
Blacc Queen
1
Blacc Queen

Citizens of the US should have the right to exercise their rights on what they choose to spend their money on and that includes trash bags. We build and grow the economy so it should be our choice.

Reply
Tracy Lewis Thoreson
1
Tracy Lewis Thoreson

City of Columbia needs some changes. We pay for our trash to get picked up. Vouchers twice a year 26 bags. We spend more money to get more bags. We need to go back using heavier bags. City trash bags cheap, tear easily. Not happy with the changes

Reply
Allison Frappier
1
Allison Frappier

They changed the number of bags with no warning and now we can’t use our old vouchers. We still put multiple regular trash bags into the big city bag. This adds so much plastic unnecessarily and isn’t good for the environment. The bags are crap too. There’s just no reason I can think of for this.

Reply
Kristen Elise Jameson
1
Kristen Elise Jameson

Roll carts, more automation, guess what genius's. It's 2021, invest and take the liability off the people getting on and off a truck. Should pay for itself after time. Done and done. Everyone should be happy. But, noooooo. Why?

Reply
Thomas Gilchrist
1
Thomas Gilchrist

It's expensive and the bags are horrible. They constantly rip and half the time the pull string handles are defective.

Reply
Sean Douglas
1
Sean Douglas

The city can hardly keep the public drop off for recycling from becoming a nightmare and haven't reduced any trash fees with this new system. How about giving us roll carts to put bags in? That would be infinitely better than giving us crap bags that cost a fortune.

Reply
The Guy
1
The Guy

Problem - Too much trash - Too many worker injuries Hypothesis - 50 lb bags will solve the problem Best Case -Recycling volume goes up Worst Case -Worker injuries go up from lifting 50 lb bags -Trash stays same -You create a mess that costs more -You lose credibility with citizens

Reply
Crystal Grissom
1
Crystal Grissom

This system is both socially and environmentally irresponsible. Due to no longer collecting normal size kitchen bags, citizens are forced to stuff these in the oversized black bags provided, thus doubling the amount of plastic being put out. This is also not a true rendering for “pay as you throw”.

Reply
Crystal Grissom
Crystal Grissom

Huge issue w/ only taking what fits in a bag- citizens now have to worry about paying for slightly oversize items. Asking people to pay to dispose of items such as vacuums that won’t fit in a bag is absurd and encourages dumping. Size/weight specifications for curbside would be more appropriate.

Jared Jones
1
Jared Jones

I have a large family and have already had to buy two extra rolls of bags after using the years allotment. I use at least 5 bags each week. I will need to buy more soon. This is a tax on families.

Reply
Jeffrey Ransdell
1
Jeffrey Ransdell

Inadequate supply of bags for a typical family and over-priced bags when you have to purchase them yourself. This for-profit scam needs to be completely rethought. Update the garbage trucks, issue roll-off containers to all residents, and it will reduce the manpower needed per route.

Reply
Max
Max

Bingo, you are a winner.

Kendra
1
Kendra

We spent more money buying the small amount of trash bags for 10 than the ones we get with the Vouchers.

Reply
Raecine Hayes
1
Raecine Hayes

the black bags are CHEAP BAGS low quality not even worth buying them for $2.00 per bag

Reply
Max
1
Max

Towns that use roll carts and trucks with roll cart devices are much more economical for the customer, and the bags are not all over the street for stray cats, dogs, possums raccoons, and rodents to damage. I am not surprised that Columbia uses a third world trash system.

Reply
Jason L
1
Jason L

Because I shouldn't have to have a special trash bag for a service I pay for anyway. File this under the dumbest idea ever.

Reply
Darren Hoffman
1
Darren Hoffman

The waste/recycle program is poorly managed. More money has been spent on the program while service declines. Need to consider contracting part of the service out to the private sector.

Reply
Will Mason
1
Will Mason

While I no longer live in Columbia, the trash blowing around all over town tells the truth about the current system. The entire town is a mass of blowing trash. It is embarrasing when out of town guests notice.

Reply
Creole Queen
1
Creole Queen

Bags quality are very poor, bags aren't available for purchase when you run out. I've been to numerous locations that have bags but customers are told that without voucher , bags can't be given. Because they have ran out of the ones for purchase. It's a major inconvenience.

Reply
Zander Royer
1
Zander Royer

The bags are terrible. They break far too easily.

Reply
Niki Goldenstein
0
Niki Goldenstein

Need to pick up recycle weekly

Reply
Henry Tuesday
0
Henry Tuesday

There are many items that are difficult to put in plastic bags. I used to save banana boxes to put limbs and weeds out. No longer.

Reply
Josh Bowers
0
Josh Bowers

Crap system, should switch to roll carts like the rest of the nation

Reply
Matthew Cavanah
0
Matthew Cavanah

The bags are flimsy and tear too easily. The city needs to invest in roll carts and automated systems to solve it's collection and staffing issues.

Reply
Lynette Sanchez
0
Lynette Sanchez

The bags are heavy, hard to store and break. Roll carts would eliminate all of these issues.

Reply
Ryan Meyer
0
Ryan Meyer

The QUALITY and inconvient size/shape of the bags are my primary issues. The bags are prone to ripping and manufacture defects. Also, I am having to use multiple 10 gallon bags to fill 1 city bag to avoid unpleasant odor inside our home, thus increasing our overall trash output.

Reply
William Ogle
0
William Ogle

This is so clearly to let lazy people stay lazy and to not do their jobs if CoMo wants to recycle and clean up trash they should do it themselves not force us to do it.

Reply
Bobby Wright
0
Bobby Wright

It is causing a lot more illegal dumping because some people either refuse or can't afford the extra bags but the don't create less trash. If the city officials think that this new system is causing people to reduce the trash that their household accumulates every week they are delusional.

Reply
Leroy Blackburn
0
Leroy Blackburn

Because you see trash bags full of trash just sitting around all over the city because they have to wait for certain days for recycling. The bags are cheap and rip eazy so the trash people won't take them if they are busted open.

Reply
catina Curtis
0
catina Curtis

What's the reason for u paying a trash bill every month if u still have to buy trash bags when u run out ...who thought of this anyway. . .a mess

Reply
Lindsey Mueller
0
Lindsey Mueller

I have a creek in my back yard. When is gets high, all sorts of trash from the creek ends up in my lawn. I now have to pay extra to throw away other people's trash that is in my lawn. Not to mention this system does not solve the issue of trash being all over the street after trash day.

Reply
Mark Evaniak
0
Mark Evaniak

I've lived in 8 cities/towns in my life across the eastern US. All (population 8k - 500k) used carts/cans for garbage. This is the worst way of refuse disposal I've seen. Most inconvienent, redundant, and expensive thing to do. Extra waste ends up in recycle centers anyway.

Reply
Richard Kennedy
0
Richard Kennedy

The voucher system is a disaster. I now put the same bags that I was already using and paying for in more plastic bags. Is our city secretly controlled by bag sellers? This is lunacy. The bags we get are crap quality, as well. The drawstrings are WEAK

Reply
Josh Arnold
0
Josh Arnold

It's such a hassle for the customers and has people dumping in business dumpsters. My restaurant has seen several people using our dumpster and has led to overflow and we haven't been able to use them. The trash collectors don't take the overflow and have left the area a huge mess countless times.

Reply
Scott McFarland
0
Scott McFarland

Trash blows all over the neighborhood. The bags tear and cannot close properly. The system is a failure.

Reply
Mike Kathmann
0
Mike Kathmann

The vouchers work, the bags do not. That is a totally different discussion though.

Reply
Do you support phasing out Missouri's income tax?

Do you support phasing out Missouri's income tax?

Yes

13

No

5

Yes

10 Comments
Andrea Loy
1
Andrea Loy

Income tax is unconstitutional when all other taxes are placed on top of it.

Reply
Shawn Maupin
1
Shawn Maupin

Because I believe taxation is theft!

Reply
Dennis Ganahl
1
Dennis Ganahl

It's time to position Missouri for growth. We need to attract business and population growth not more stagnation. Taxes need to be affordable based on what people can pay, not what government wants to spend. Government needs to budget just like families.

Reply
Slate Rogers
1
Slate Rogers

I am in favor of a state income tax cap of 3 percent and eliminating the personal property tax completely.

Reply
C Sims
1
C Sims

I support doing away with all taxes

Reply
Max
Max

The harder that people work, the more taxes they pay. That's wrong. The people that won't work should pay the most taxes.

Mike Roemerman
0
Mike Roemerman

This is the #1 tax cut that will help Grow Missouri. Eliminating State Income Tax will attract Business, Create Jobs and increase our population. This also exclusively benefits Missourians.

Reply
Nancy Hooyman
0
Nancy Hooyman

I'm 70 and it takes too much money away from me.

Reply
Pam Ames
0
Pam Ames

The citizens of Missouri are taxed enough, we deserve to enjoy some of the fruits of our labor.Next stop should be phasing out personal property taxes, sales tax, etc, etc…

Reply
Bill Douglas
0
Bill Douglas

Ban state employees from attending professional and college sports events. Also ban state employees from displaying college/university personalized license plates on their vehicles.

Reply
Max
0
Max

If phasing out taxes, phases out Socialism, then it's a great idea.

Reply

No

5 Comments
Michael Bailey
1
Michael Bailey

We eliminated capital gains tax last year and now our target is income tax? I feel we should get more productive spending and figure out the position of our tax burden before we think about eliminating income tax. It feels like Gov. Kehoe is using this as political points.

Reply
Steve Baumann
1
Steve Baumann

We all need to be paying our fair share. There are other questionable taxes to be looked into and removed. Along with tax cuts, cuts to the bureaucracy as well.

Reply
nathaniel bock
1
nathaniel bock

The tax we need to eliminate or change is personal property tax on vehicles, tractors, trailers, etc. There should be no taxes paid on anything an individual has owned longer than ten years.

Reply
Will Mason
1
Will Mason

Sales taxes are paid by the poor. Income taxes favor the poor. Unless a refund of sales taxes is an option, income taxes are cheaper for low income people. And a sales tax refund is probably just as complex as filing income taxes. Either way the government is getting our money.

Reply
Hayden Hamlin
0
Hayden Hamlin

Missouri barely pays for WIC, SNAP, Healthcare, and education as is. The Trump Admin passed a bill that will cancel more funding to states for these. Who's going to replace the main source of revenue? The billionaire class? Absolutely not. Our state only offers cheap living; this will raise prices.

Reply
Max
Max

Socialism is not the solution.

Max
Max

Maybe some people should put more effort into working for a living?

Do you agree with banning sugary foods and drinks from Missouri's SNAP program?

Do you agree with banning sugary foods and drinks from Missouri's SNAP program?

Yes

35

No

18

Yes

19 Comments
Doug Fisher
4
Doug Fisher

SNAP money should (i) serve basic nutritional needs, not empty food and (ii) should help farmers, not companies making empty caloric food.

Reply
kelly shuler
4
kelly shuler

if taxpayers are paying then should require healthier eating for better health in long term

Reply
Baconface McGee
4
Baconface McGee

Our taxes shouldn’t be paying for other people’s junk food.

Reply
Lee Signup
3
Lee Signup

The United States has one of the highest rates of Type 1 diabetes incidences and high prevalence , around 1 in 6. Diet and being active, which most of us can do does wonders, whether on SNAP or not, most of us would benefit from consuming less sugar and taking the stairs.

Reply
Jimmy Ci
3
Jimmy Ci

The purpose of SNAP is to provide food-purchasing assistance to low- and no-income individuals and families, helping them maintain adequate nutrition and health. It should not be used for anything else.

Reply
michael
3
michael

Curbing sugary foods & drinks significantly decreases chronic illness, which saves tax $$ on health care. The healthier our food choices, the healthier we are. Healthier = happier.

Reply
Dan Mar
3
Dan Mar

Sugary foods are not a necessity. The US has an obesity crisis that is costing taxpayers hundreds of millions every year. I like the sugar tax that Europe is using to help pay for the government health care costs related to junk food consumption.

Reply
Tatyana Karak
3
Tatyana Karak

Sugary food is not essential. SNAP is for people who need to eat food they need not to go hungry. More healthy choices are beneficial for all.

Reply
Patrick
3
Patrick

So taxpayers are 100% funding SNAP and those benefits should be used properly. If SNAP recipients use benefits to buy soda, candy, cake, and other sugary products, we, the taxpayers will also be funding their healthcare for diabetes and other chronic ailments. Enough is enough.

Reply
Randi W
2
Randi W

People on SNAP may have a proclivity for unhealthy eating. Just as SNAP can't be used for cigarettes and alcohol, it shouldn't be wasted on surgery sodas and unhealthy snack foods.

Reply
Fat Guy Outdoors
2
Fat Guy Outdoors

I'm in favor of eliminating the entire snap program.

Reply
Valarie Wright
1
Valarie Wright

Restricting sugary items ensures taxpayer-funded SNAP benefits support public health goals by encouraging the purchase of more nutrient-dense foods, thereby combating diet-related diseases.

Reply
Victoria D
1
Victoria D

No reason for SNAP to add to the bad eating habits. Stick to necessary nutrition.

Reply
tom tibble
1
tom tibble

These types of food are not necessary and should focus on essential foods only.

Reply
Victoria Zandonella
1
Victoria Zandonella

No place in a nutritious diet!

Reply
John S
0
John S

Let's have some common sense health reform and get back to the basics of making healthy and affordable food available to all.

Reply
Braylon Maverick
0
Braylon Maverick

Sugary foods and drink are not necessary in an healthy diet, which was the original intendent purpose of the program. You want snacks food and junk food, go work. SNAP need to resort back to the old food stamp rules. Again, don't like it, then go to work.

Reply
Ellen Hall
0
Ellen Hall

Sugary foods do not sustain a healthy body. You wind up gaining fat - yes that is a weight - , decaying teeth, addiction to sugar. Add all the salt that goes along with that and there is very little nutrition to fuel your brain and the rest of your body.

Reply
dragon fly
0
dragon fly

diabetes is epidemic in the U$ - thanks to sugar being in everything...

Reply
dragon fly
dragon fly

if you read the NO comments, many of the people who voted NO thought they were voting NO SUGAR...

No

18 Comments
Brian Croner
3
Brian Croner

I'm type 1 diabetic and I need to buy candy to keep myself from dying from hypoglycemia episodes.

Reply
Braylon Maverick
Braylon Maverick

So there is no other way for you to stuff your face with candy than through SNAP benefits? You have no other money available to you? You're that much of a freeloader? If you need sugar for your Diabetes, why don't you make a cup of tea and add 12 teaspoons of sugar in it? Stop being a freeloader.

Max
Max

How many pounds of candy do you need per day?

Kimberly Jean
3
Kimberly Jean

Just because a person is less fortunate, doesn't mean they must live in misery at all times. The poor can enjoy life too. If they choose to buy themselves or their family a little treat, they are as entitled to do that as anyone else.

Reply
Braylon Maverick
Braylon Maverick

You want to enjoy luxuries, then work for them. Candy and Coca-Cola isn't that expensive. They don't need to fall under the category of SNAP. Keondre and her 8 kids (from 7 different men) don't need to feast on 7-UP and Skittles.

Angel Lopez Jr
3
Angel Lopez Jr

If you look at the cost of less processed goods, you’ll see that you get much less bang for your buck. You spend more and get less whe. You eliminated the processed goods. Rather than hurt the consumer, the focus should be on making these processed foods healthier. This makes sense to parents.

Reply
Anonymous Individual
3
Anonymous Individual

I don't have the right to decide what poor people get to eat. Just because we give poor people money for food doesn't give us the right to take away their freedom of choice. They decide what to put into their bodies, not us. It's their bodies, their choice!!!

Reply
Fred
3
Fred

The poor/lower middle class aren't the problem, it's the billionaires. Prior to Reagan and trickle-down (Voodoo Economics) the bottom 90% of the population held about a third of the wealth and the 0.7% about 7% .... fast forward to today and the top 0.7% have MORE wealth than the bottom 90%!

Reply
Max
Max

Then you must be a billionaire. LOL

Diane Willoughby
2
Diane Willoughby

Why do we need to control people in our society? Sometimes the only way a child can get a little treat is if their parents can use a little bit of the benefits to buy something a little special.

Reply
Braylon Maverick
Braylon Maverick

You are right. Government should not control people. It should not afford luxuries for people as well. SNAP's purpose is to make sure people (including children) have food, and that food be nutritious. SNAP isn't for Wanda and her 8 kids to be able to buy Doritos, Skittles, and 7-UP.

michael
michael

Mindful what we call 'treats'! Illness producing, ultra processed 'treats' are literally a sickening way to 'treat' our kids. A handful of delicious blueberries, is a treat. Banana slices spread with peanut butter is a treat. A handful of Skittles & a diet soda is not.

Patricia Abruzzise
2
Patricia Abruzzise

No one should be banning sweets from SNAP or any other program. This is just a way of controlling people and what is available for them to eat. What is next? MILK?

Reply
Braylon Maverick
Braylon Maverick

Candy and Milk...good comparison. LOL

dragon fly
dragon fly

Trump-zombie logic...

Max
Max

You are comparing milk to Twinkies. Give everyone a break.

Baby Yoda's Dad
2
Baby Yoda's Dad

That is the only time some kids get a little snack.

Reply
Lee Signup
Lee Signup

FYI after we don't need milk after childhood. Calcium Sources: Leafy greens (kale, broccoli), tofu, beans, fortified orange juice, nuts, and seeds

michael
michael

Grapes dipped in peanut butter are a snack. So are spoonfuls of yogurt mixed with chopped fruit, plopped onto parchment paper with a popsicle stick stuck into ea & frozen. Dip in melted chocolate optional! As is chia seed pudding. All cheaper than prepackaged, ultra processed snacks & far healthier.

Max
Max

42 million people get an avg. of $178 per month of food that is paid for by the other 295 million Americans that work for a living.

Madison Haleigh
2
Madison Haleigh

Because it directly affects disabled and vulnerable populations, people with arfid, People who are trying to buy birthday cakes for their children, people who have disabilities who cannot easily make foods, people who have autism who have safe foods, people with diabetes. It's not right to police us

Reply
Max
Max

End the SNAP program except for people that will community service.

Denzel McVeigh
2
Denzel McVeigh

No because there are a lot of people that need those sodas those candies whatever for reasons like oh I don't know to raise their blood sugar up when it gets super low. It's such a misconception and some more false narrative bullshit by these dumbass Republicans like Mike kehoe and Donald Trump.

Reply
Max
Max

The same ones that need liquor, MaryJane and smokes?

Bridget Graham
1
Bridget Graham

Why police people when corporations get away with murder?

Reply
Herman Harris
0
Herman Harris

Targeting a specific group of pe ople.

Reply
Erin Mulhern
0
Erin Mulhern

1. SNAP does not provide enough funds to allow them to buy healthier foods. 2. Food deserts do not have enough options for people to chose healthy foods. 3. It's no one's business what others eat. Mind your own household.

Reply
Michael Bailey
0
Michael Bailey

I feel the same way towards this as vegetarianism. By all means we should worry about what people eat after we feed more people. The point of the program is to eliminate its necessity not limit its accessibility

Reply
Laura Glassman
0
Laura Glassman

The government has no business telling people what they can and can't eat. Simple

Reply
Alan Silverman
0
Alan Silverman

do the 61% yes voters refrain from sugary products?? if so remove all the products they say that shouldn't be available to snap completely from the market. or only the rich deserve....?

Reply
Jeremy Geyer
0
Jeremy Geyer

I think these kind of things put an undue burden on grocers. They cost more than they are worth

Reply
levi record
0
levi record

What is this nazi germany? Whats next? Hot dogs? Cheerios? Salt? Poor kids deserve birthday cake too. People should be treated fairly snap or no snap. If sugar is so bad then have it removed from all food. Gezzzz fdt

Reply

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