Dive Brief:

• Residents' disapproval of a new solid waste plan in three districts in unincorporated parts of Santa Fe County may push officials to start anew on another option.
• The county had proposed a bidding process to select a single hauler per district to collect trash and recycling. A county energy programs specialist told Santa Fe Reporter that a new proposal could result in the current haulers also providing recycling services. 
• The customers would pick up the costs. The County Commission is scheduled to discuss possible solutions at the end of July.

Dive Insight:

Each side of the argument has a different value system. The county cited less traffic, reduced rates and increased waste diversion as a benefit to its plan. But residents, who created a petition to help make their point, do not want the county intervening to select a hauler — they prefer the current deal, which employs around six haulers. 

Often, officials and residents are at odds over management of waste and recycling, leaving companies in limbo while the process plays out.