The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Milk River Disposal took over the solid waste pickup service for Chinook households and commercial businesses on February 1 of this year. Trevor Smith, who owns and operates Milk River Disposal, said he felt the transition has gone well. Smith added, “There are always a few bumps when a new provider takes over, but so far things seem to be operating smoothly.”

Per Smith, household customers will have their garbage picked up on either a Tuesday/ Friday schedule or on a Monday/Thursday cycle. The household pickup schedule will start each morning at 7am. Commercial customers will still have five days a week pickup.

According to the contract with the city, the disposal service is “not required to collect and haul manure, rocks, sod, gravel, plaster, trees, concrete, appliances, petroleum products including oil, waste oil, gasoline and diesel fuel, waste building material or other debris…” Those materials will be refused by the disposal contractor.

Asked about other things customers need to be aware of, Smith said, “Liquids can be a problem for us. We are equipped to handle solid waste, not fluids.” He gave an example of waste motor oil discarded in a plastic container, like a milk jug, as problematic. He said that causes problems with hauling and, ultimately, disposal at the landfill. Large amounts of cooking oil, like from a commercial deep fat fryer, are also a problem for the pickup service.

In Chinook there are some alternatives for disposing of waste motor oil. The Blaine County Shop, at the corner of Dike Road and Fourth Street, has a storage tank where used oil can be disposed. Small containers can be placed near the tank on the concrete apron. County employees will get the oil into the storage tank. Several local mechanic shops will also take used motor oil. Frank Pehrson, at his service shop on the east edge of Chinook, said he will take the used waste oil. He has a service that comes and picks up used oil. Readers can check with their local mechanic shop for other disposal options.

Yard waste can be picked up if properly prepared. The hauling contract specifies “tree branches and shrubbery, securely tied in bundles not exceeding four feet in length, may be placed in cans or containers and grass clippings placed in cans, containers or plastic bags securely fastened are considered garbage and must be picked up…” Chinook residents can haul their own branches and clippings to the city’s ‘burn pile’ about a mile off Cleveland Road on Bowes Road. That site is only for yard-type waste that will burn.

Smith said, “Used tires are a challenge. Our service will pick up the occasional used tire. If someone has several used tires for disposal, they need to haul them to the Unified Landfill site on the southeast edge of Havre.” Clay Vincent, who manages the Unified Landfill said there are special containers located and labelled for used tires at the front of the landfill facility. He said small amounts of tires can be disposed in those containers at no cost. Commercial concerns disposing of used tires can haul used tires to the landfill and dump them in the appropriate place. He added there is an approximate cost of $22 per ton for disposing of used tires for bulk loads. Normally a tire dealer will dispose of used tires when mounting new replacements.

Asked about other issues he wanted to mention, Vincent said, “One of our biggest problems is people hauling disposal matter and garbage to the landfill that is not tarped and secured. We spend a lot of effort picking up things that fall off or out of vehicles. Those loads need to be tarped and secured to minimize litter along the roadways.”

Vehicle batteries cannot be picked up by the local solid waste hauler. Most local vendors, who sell new vehicle batteries, will take used batteries and dispose of them properly. Check with a local supplier for options regarding used vehicle batteries, even if you didn’t buy it locally. Most dealers said they would take the core since they can be reused by manufacturers.

Trevor Smith has been in the disposal business for a number of years. He added, “We’re trying to provide good service. And we want our customers to understand what we can and cannot pickup as part of our service.” Smith welcomes questions by calling Milk River Disposal at 265-8379.