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City Of Detroit Trash Pickup Services Begin New Era Of Privatization

DETROIT (WWJ) - Garbage pick up in Detroit is now the job of two private companies.

Advanced Disposal and Rizzo Sanitation will divide the garbage pick-up duties within the city.

For the first time in 27 years, Calvin Sanders, who used to be a city employee with the sanitation department, is now a private-sector garbage picker-upper.

He says he's not too upset about the move.

"Advance is on the westside, Rizzo is doing the eastside," said Sanders.

Sanders says despite what was being jawed about, it never was about the workers or cost of service -- it was about equipment and the city not putting anything into the system.

"They came in with all new trucks ... that's been the problem (in the past), it's not the people, it's been the equipment."

Sanders says he's remaining optimistic about his job with his new employer but he said he remains very concerned about his city pension.

Sanders expects that residents will see a difference in the service, with a new fleet of trucks - breakdowns should be at a minimum - and trash pickup should remain constant in addition to the extra day of bulk pick-up.

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