Government of the District of Columbia
DC Department of Public Works
Testimony of
William O. Howland Jr.
Director
Public Oversight Roundtable
“The Supercans for Seniors Act of 2012”, Bill 19-1036
Committee on the Environment, Public Works and Transportation
Mary M. Cheh, Chair
John A. Wilson Building
Room 500
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
December 6, 2012
Testimony of William O. Howland Jr.
Director, DC Department of Public Works
Public Oversight Roundtable on “The Supercans for Seniors Act of 2012,” Bill 19-1036
Committee on the Environment, Public Works and Transportation
December 6, 2012/1 pm/Room 500
Good afternoon, Chairperson Cheh, members of the committee and staff. I am William O. Howland Jr., Director of the Department of Public Works. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on Bill 19-1036, “The Supercans for Seniors Act of 2012.”
The Executive does not support this proposed bill because funding has not been identified to cover the cost of providing free Supercans, 32-gallon trash cans or 32-gallon recycling cans.
In April 2011, due to lack of funding for trash and recycling containers, DPW introduced across-the-board requirements that residents would pay for containers obtained through the Department. Now, residents pay $62.50 for a Supercan, and $45 each for 32-gallon trash containers and 32-gallon recycling containers.
Until last April, seniors received a 51 percent discount on the cost of a Supercan, which resulted in paying $32 instead of $62.50. Seniors in twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, where the 32-gallon trash can is used, received free cans. All DPW customers received free recycling containers.
Of course, residents may provide their own containers; however, we advise them that they must obtain a container similar to that provided by DPW and the container should be appropriate for the weekly collection cycle. All containers should have a bar lift, which is used to lift the can and empty it. We also have surveyed several retailers and learned that comparable containers are priced higher than what is charged by DPW.
The current inventory of Supercans was issued in 2001 to our residential customers. The Supercans have a 10-year warranty and many of the cans are now wearing out. DPW will repair the Supercans, 32-gallon trash cans and recycling containers at no cost. The repairs are to the lids, lift bars, and wheels. If the body of the container is damaged, most times the cart cannot be repaired.
The fact is the Supercans are getting beyond their useful life. Supercans that were manufactured before 2001 cannot be repaired because the manufacturer no longer makes parts for that container.
This concludes my testimony. I am ready to answer your questions.
Thank you