Kent’s trash policy leaves city streets unclear

Policies and complaints for Kent

During mid-August, the streets of Kent tend to pile over with old mattresses, desks and bags of garbage when the students come back to town.

For students, landlords sometimes don’t clarify regulations for the trash pickup by R&R Sanitation and it tends to pile over. Amanda Oswald, a resident of Kent, finds it difficult to know the trash regulations for her street. Oswald, a senior fashion merchandising major, said she is not pleased with how trash is picked up at her residence.

“We went through a lot of ‘well this is how it happened last year,’ but our landlord was never able to give a direct answer,” Oswald said.

Through the rules of her house, which is a part of a complex on South Depeyster Street, there is not a clear policy. Oswald said everyone should to be aware of the policy. “Our landlord was very unclear about it,” Oswald said.

As for the overall appearance of the city, Dave Ruller, city manager of Kent, said the city “collects, manages and regulates trash primarily to protect public health and safety and to be a good stewards of the environment.”

Ruller said the main goal for the city is to “provide the most conveniently and cost effective services possible.”

“Trash can be unsightly,” Ruller said. “We work hard to keep trash where it belongs and out of the creeks, alleys, porches or dumped along the side of the road.”

Maryellen Gorman, a resident of North Lincoln Street in Kent, said her trash is never picked up on time. “I set it out on the curb on Monday night for Tuesday, and it’s not gone until Wednesday.

“It makes my yard look undesirable and messy,” Gorman said.

What you can do to keep Kent clean

Find out whether your bins need to be placed on the curb or not. Contact your landlord or local public services manager to see date and times of trash pickup.

Contact the Director of Public Service, Gene Robert, at 330-678-8105, or contact City Health Commissioner, Jeff Neistadt, at 330-678-8109. Read more about the policies and regulations at kentohio.org.