New Orleans residents may soon face higher trash collection fees as city leaders look for ways to balance the budget and maintain essential services. Mayor Helena Moreno said the current sanitation fee paid by households does not come close to covering the true cost of garbage and recycling collection. Without additional revenue, the city may have to cut important services in next year’s budget.
Mayor Helena Moreno Proposes Trash Fee Increase
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno is urging the City Council to consider raising the monthly sanitation fee residents pay for curbside trash and recycling pickup.
Currently, households pay $24 per month for the service. According to the mayor, this fee covers only a small portion of the city’s actual expenses.
City Hall is spending about $24 million from the general fund this year to cover the gap between the fee revenue and the real cost of providing sanitation services.
Moreno said she does not want to raise fees but believes the current rate is outdated and unsustainable.
Fee Has Not Changed Since 2011
One major issue highlighted by city leaders is that the sanitation fee has remained the same since 2011.
During that time, operating costs for waste collection have increased due to:
- Higher fuel prices
- Increased labor costs
- Rising operational expenses
- Inflation over more than a decade
Despite these rising costs, residents have continued paying the same fee for trash collection.
Trash Service Reduced After Hurricane Ida
Another factor in the debate is that trash collection service in New Orleans was reduced following Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Before the storm, many neighborhoods received twice-a-week garbage pickup.
After the hurricane, the city shifted to once-per-week collection, which remains the current system.
Even though the service was reduced, the monthly fee has not been changed since then.
City Council Could Consider Proposal Soon
The New Orleans City Council could introduce a proposal to increase the sanitation fee during its upcoming meeting.
If introduced, the council must wait three weeks before voting on the measure, which is required under city rules.
While the mayor is recommending the change, the final decision will ultimately be made by the council.
Previous Proposal to Raise Fees
The idea of increasing sanitation fees is not new.
Former New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell proposed a similar increase in her final budget plan.
That proposal suggested raising the fees to:
| Customer Type | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | $24/month | $36/month |
| Businesses | $48/month | $72/month |
However, the City Council never voted on that proposal before the administration changed.
Waste Collection Managed by Private Companies
Trash collection in New Orleans is handled by several private contractors working with the city.
These companies include:
- IV Waste
- Waste Pro
- Richard’s Disposal
Each company handles garbage collection in different parts of the city.
Possible Improvements if Fees Increase
Mayor Moreno said she would prefer that any fee increase also bring improvements to sanitation services.
One possible improvement could include restoring a “strike force” team responsible for cleaning up illegal dumping across the city.
Illegal dumping has been a frequent complaint among residents in several neighborhoods.
Improved services could help address those concerns if additional funding becomes available.
State Auditor Warns About Budget Risks
Mike Waguespack also spoke about the issue during the press conference.
He warned that the city may soon have no choice but to stop using general fund money to support sanitation services.
According to Waguespack, if the fee does not increase, the city may need to cut funding from other important areas such as:
- Public safety
- Parks and recreation programs
- Other essential city services
He said the current system is financially unsustainable.
