Winchester Municipal Utilities decided on a start date for its new streamlined process, which allows WMU to continue offering recycling services.

Beginning the week of Jan. 7, 2019, WMU will provide trash, recycling, yard waste and large bulky items on the same day.

WMU will inform customers of their specific collection day in the coming weeks via postcard mailings and other electronic media outlets, General Manager Mike Flynn said in an email.

Customers will be required to have all their bins and disposal items to the curb by 7 a.m. on their collection day.

Flynn said WMU might not collect all items at the same time, but it will pick up everything on the same day.

WMU officials and city officials agreed on the decision following months of discussions about the increasing cost of the recycling services.

Flynn previously told The Sun the demand for recyclables is down across the nation as China is buying less and less.

WMU is absorbing the costs of the recycling program by realigning its collection schedule and becoming more efficient.

Currently, WMU runs five routes for solid waste on Monday and Tuesday and five routes for recycling on Thursday and Friday.

The new service would divide the city into four areas and four routes. Each collection day, crews would serve one area and collect everything: solid waste, recycling, yard waste and large items.

Collection in downtown and the central business district would not be affected, Flynn said.

The change would take two trucks off the road, which would reduce expenses and add a second person to each truck on the route, which increases safety and efficiency.

Most residents will keep one of their current collection dates, Flynn said.

Customers can contact the WMU Solid Waste Department at 859-744-1170 or visit their website with questions.