What Benbrook residents should know about the Best Trash contract: rates, carts and bulk pickup

Benbrook officials and Best Trash North Texas LLC told the City Council on Oct. 1 that the new solid-waste agreement would change how residents set out and are billed for trash while aiming to limit immediate rate increases.

Assistant City Manager Ethan Cox summarized service specifics: "Residential service currently is $17.60 per month. Best Trash is actually proposing a 6% per month rate decrease ... from $17.60 a month down to $16.60 a month for each resident." Cox said the contract uses a quadrant model so trucks will be present six days per week and Wednesday will be dedicated to larger bulk and brush collections.

Under the proposed bulk/brush rules, items shorter than 3 feet and under 50 pounds will continue on regular collection days. Larger or heavier items will be eligible for Wednesday claw/grapple collection. Cox and Best Trash explained that up to 4 cubic yards will be collected free; anything over that amount is charged $12 per cubic yard for the excess. Cox gave concrete visual examples to explain the 4-cubic-yard volume to residents.

Residents may purchase a 95-gallon cart for a one-time $60 fee; the resident owns the cart. Best Trash representatives said carts carry manufacturer warranties (they referenced a typical 10-year warranty) and that the vendor will honor assisted/backdoor pickup registrations currently in place. Cox said staff intends a 30–90 day staggered rollout around the Dec. 31 contract transition to avoid holiday disruption and to give residents time to order carts.

The council asked how previously purchased yellow-bag programs and existing Republic Service totes would be handled; Cox said staff plans to offer refunds for unused yellow bags and to coordinate tote replacement during the transition process. Best Trash also noted its desire to route community donations through local organizations rather than directly to the city.