James Hall, the public works director for the city of Bogalusa, said this week that changes are coming to the city’s contracted trash pick-up service.

During Tuesday’s meeting of the Bogalusa City Council, Hall explained that the city’s sanitation collection company, Waste Connections, is increasing its fees for those who wish to have multiple garbage cans at their residences.

The new cost will be $13.30 per month, per 96-gallon can. Hall said that in the past, residents have been able to purchase additional cans for an additional $1 per month, but now every can will be $13.30.

Hall also said that every can will have a bar code stamped on it, and that code will let the company know at which house it belongs. He said this would prevent other people from taking cans without a homeowner’s knowledge.

Hall noted that commercial customers would be charged $14 per month per can, up to three cans. If a commercial customer needs more trash space than three cans, they will have to get a dumpster, and a different company handles those.

Bogalusa Mayor Wendy Perrette noted during the council meeting that the changes are being instituted by Waste Connections, and not voluntarily by the city government.

Hall said Wednesday that Waste Connections will be coming through the city next week, picking up surplus cans. Any resident who currently has more than one trash can must put the additional cans out for pickup starting Monday. Hall said there are 419 such customers.

“Citizens can hang onto one of their cans for now, and then they will be replaced by a can with a bar code at a later date,” he said. “Also that that time, citizens will be able to purchase another can at a $13.30 monthly rate, also with a bar code.”