In Peachtree City, many residents, including myself, value the freedom to choose our own garbage collection service providers. Companies like Pollard Waste Disposal, which is locally owned and operated, have been providing us with reliable, affordable, and personable services. However, recent plans by the Peachtree City Council to impose a mandatory garbage collection service threaten this choice, forcing residents to accept a single contracted provider at a fixed rate.

This proposal would eliminate one of the most important principles of a healthy marketplace: competition.

Competition encourages companies to earn customers by offering lower prices, better customer service, greater reliability, and innovative solutions. When residents are free to choose among multiple providers, companies remain accountable because poor service or excessive price increases can result in customers taking their business elsewhere.

A government-mandated single-provider system removes much of that accountability.

When one company is guaranteed every residential customer regardless of its performance, the incentive to improve service, respond quickly to complaints, invest in better equipment, or keep prices competitive is greatly diminished. Residents lose their most effective form of influence—the ability to choose another provider.

Supporters of this proposal may argue that a single provider could reduce truck traffic or create administrative efficiencies. While those goals may sound appealing, they should not come at the cost of eliminating consumer choice and market competition. History has repeatedly demonstrated that when meaningful competition is eliminated, costs tend to rise, service quality often declines, and accountability is weakened because residents no longer have the ability to take their business elsewhere.

This proposal would also negatively impact local businesses. Companies that have spent years earning the trust and loyalty of residents could be forced out of the residential market through no fault of their own. Rather than allowing businesses to compete fairly, the government would effectively select one exclusive residential provider while excluding all others. We believe government should promote fair competition—not eliminate it.

Every household has different needs and priorities. Some families value the lowest price. Others prioritize customer service, recycling programs, yard waste collection, or flexible pickup schedules. A mandatory, single-provider system removes the ability for residents to choose the service that best fits their household.

Local government plays an important role in protecting public health and ensuring reasonable standards for waste collection. However, that responsibility can be fulfilled without eliminating competition or restricting residents' freedom to choose the provider they prefer.

Once competition is removed, restoring it can be extremely difficult. Residents lose bargaining power, businesses lose opportunities to compete, and accountability suffers.

We respectfully ask our City Council to:

Reject any ordinance or proposal requiring residents to use a single, government-selected residential trash collection provider.
Preserve the ability of homeowners to choose the waste collection company that best meets their needs.
Protect fair competition and the local businesses that serve our community.
Maintain a competitive marketplace that encourages fair pricing, quality service, innovation, and accountability.
By signing this petition, we affirm our support for consumer choice, free-market competition, and the right of residents to select the trash collection service that works best for their families.

Please preserve competition. Protect consumer choice. Vote NO on any proposal establishing a mandatory single-provider residential trash collection system.