American Waste & Recycling, a locally owned and operated garbage collection and recycling center, has purchased Waste Management's residential routes in the Grand Traverse area effective March 1.

“We got the opportunity to purchase the route,” says Eddie Ascione, who owns the 40-plus-year-old business with his brother, Mike. “It fits into our future growth plans.”

The primarily residential routes are located in Grand Traverse County and several surrounding counties. American Waste has hired several of Waste Management’s drivers to pick up the garbage and recyclables. The only change customers might notice is a potentially different pick-up day, Ascione says.

Last fall, American Waste added the availability of 96-gallon, covered recycle carts in areas where curbside recycling is available. Customers pay a deposit to obtain a container. “For years customers have been asking for a better type of recycling bin – a large one with a better lid," Ascione says. "It was quite an investment, but it turned out to be a great program.”