City officials have declared the abandoned shopping cart retrieval program a success after its first year.
From November 1, 2013 to the end of October, the outside contractor hired to pick up abandoned carts collected 1,222 carts throughout the city for a cost of under $5,500 for the city.
The city pays six dollars for each cart retrieved.
The highest concentrations of abandoned carts collected occurred north of Grant Road between Alvernon Way and Country Club Road, and west of Flowing Wells Road and south of Drexel Road.
Environmental Services Director Andrew Quigley said next year the contractor will perform sweeps in hot spot areas on a regular basis to keep the blight down even further.
Walmart topped the list for carts retrieved, followed by Fry’s, Walgreens and Albertsons.
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Although the city included a $30 fine for stores to get their carts back, Quigley said no retailer has been charged since most of the stores worked out a deal with the contractor to have the carts returned.
“We’re not in this business to fine,” Quigley said. “We’re in this to get rid of carts. We want to get them off the street, get them back to vendors and get them back to beneficial use.”
You can request an abandoned cart pick-up by calling 791-3171, emailing ESHelp@tucsonaz.gov or using the My Waste App.
Contact reporter Darren DaRonco at 573-4243 or ddaronco@tucson.com. Follow on twitter @DarrenDaRonco
