THOMASVILLE — With the onslaught of the deadly COVID-19 virus came cessation of City of Thomasville back-door residential trash pickup and city recycling services.

Continuing the services after virus restrictions are lifted is uncertain.

City Manager Alan Carson said contamination in both services — regardless of the virus — is a concern. He said earlier the amount residential garbage customers pay for back-door service is far less than the actual cost to the city.

Residential garbage customers were told in March they would be required to place city garbage cans street-side to be emptied by sanitation workers. The city recycling service shut down.

Carson said April was the first full month of the change. A look at services and costs continued in May and will continue in June.

“I do not have a great idea of how either service will go,” he said. “As of now, I have no idea if or when it will return.”

The virus-related cutback on garbage service and halting the city recycling activity has provided the city a good opportunity to look at both areas, the city manager said.

“We’re continuing to study costs and safety to see whether or not to continue the services at some point in time,” Carson said.

He wants to continue the current garbage and recycling situation through summer months.

Carson would obtain city council input before making a decision about the services. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820